JIMBARAN, balitourismnow.com — The Jimbaran Hijau Foundation officially opened “Jimbafest Presents: Pekan CERIA (Children and Environment: Stories of Sustainability)” at Jimbaran Hub in South Kuta, Badung, Bali, on Thursday, October 29, 2026
Pekan CERIA is a cultural initiative leading up to Jimbafest 2027, a festival celebrating the environment and local culture. The event features a range of educational activities, including exhibitions showcasing environmentally friendly crafts.
Organized in collaboration with the Badung Regency Education, Youth and Sports Office and Jimbaran Traditional Village, Pekan CERIA aims to instill environmental awareness and foster a green mindset among younger generations from an early age.
Dr. Putu Agung Prianta, B.Eng(Hons.), MA, MH, CEO and Founder of Jimbaran Hijau, said the initiative represents a collective commitment to protecting the natural environment and preserving local cultural heritage.
“Pekan CERIA marks a moment for collective, meaningful action, culminating in Jimbafest 2027. This is the next step toward nurturing a generation of Jimbaran children who will grow up to become guardians of their own natural environment and cultural heritage,” Agung Prianta said.
He added that modern development within Jimbaran Hijau continues to uphold Bali’s cultural authenticity and the balance between people and nature, guided by the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana and the area’s live and learn concept.
The opening day was enlivened by hundreds of fourth- to sixth-grade elementary school students from across Jimbaran Village, who participated in an essay competition titled “My Dream for a Better Jimbaran Village.” The students appeared focused and enthusiastic, having prepared for the competition well in advance.
The program also featured an angklung musical performance by students from State Special Needs School 1 Badung, along with exhibitions by various environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Five Pillar Initiative, Terratide, and Green Books.
Yusea Eka Prasetya, Chairperson of the Jimbaran Hijau Foundation, said the initiative builds on the community’s longstanding commitment to involving children in environmental education.
“Jimbafest has always been closely connected to our efforts to engage children in learning to love and care for nature. Through Pekan CERIA, we aim to strengthen that foundation and allow the values of sustainability to grow naturally in their everyday lives,” Yusea said.
Yudha Bantono, chair of the essay competition jury, praised the ideas expressed by the young participants. He explained that the winning entries would be compiled into a book and distributed to elementary schools across Bali.
“The children’s essays reveal an extraordinary purity of imagination. Through their writing, we can see just how deeply they care about and how much they hope for the future of Jimbaran Village,” Yudha said.
A representative of the Badung Regency Education, Youth and Sports Office expressed similar appreciation, emphasizing that environmental education initiatives such as Pekan CERIA play a crucial role in raising children’s awareness of ecological issues while providing them with a platform for creative expression.
Pekan CERIA is scheduled to continue through the weekend, October 30–31, 2026, with the Jimbaran Weekend Market Special Edition. The creative market will feature art workshops, local product exhibitions, and live music performances open to the public. [buda]