Did you know that February is Balinese Language Month in Bali? Every year, the province hosts a month-long campaign to promote the Balinese language.
Over the next few weeks, tourists in Bali will see the campaign appear across top destinations and will be encouraged to join in if it feels good to them.
One of the great joys of Balinese Language Month is the variety of public events and exhibitions.
From art exhibitions to markets promoting traditional and artisanal products, to language lessons and poetry recitals, this is the best month of the year to dive deeper into Balinese culture.
The Balinese Language Month kicked off with a launch event at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center in central Denpasar. The event was attended by Bali Governor Wayan Koster, accompanied by the Chairman of the Bali DPRD Dewa Made Mahayadnya and the Acting Head of the Bali Provincial Culture Office Ida Bagus Gde Wesnawa Punia.
At the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center in the next month, there will be more than 17 events, including live art performances, cultural workshops, Balinese language competitions, and Reka Aksara’s exhibition themed ‘Transformation of Balinese Language, Script, and Literature in Technology’.
During his speech, Governor Koster emphasized the importance of strengthening the use and application of Balinese script, language, and the promotion of Balinese literature as the foundation of the community’s identity and character.
He noted, “Indonesia possesses a diverse range of riches, customs, traditions, arts, and local wisdom, each of which once served as a strength for the nation. These are the strengths and characteristics of a cultured nation. That is why, one of Bung Karno’s three pillars, Indonesia is to have a distinct personality in culture.”
He explained, “This Balinese Language Month is important for preserving our future generations, so that Balinese culture remains alive, adaptive, and relevant amidst the currents of globalization. We must not let our culture die, because if it dies, the community’s identity and character will also be fragile.”
Tourists are welcome to attend the events at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center while visiting Denpasar. For those who won’t make it to Denpasar, there are still many ways to connect with Balinese Language Month and Balinese art this month.
The newly opened ‘Humanity’ art exhibition at Goa Gajah Cave and Temple just outside of central Ubud will be open to the public until 25th February 2026.
Featuring pieces from 28 local artists, the collection has been brought together by the Wajah Art Community.
Each of the 28 artists is showcasing three to five works, allowing visitors to explore dozens of pieces reflecting humanitarian issues, social empathy, and the artists’ inner experiences. The exhibition features a diverse range of visual styles and techniques, making it a space for both appreciation and reflection.
There is hope that the exhibition will be enjoyed by local community members, domestic tourists, and international tourists who take the time to explore global issues through Balinese art.
There are very simple ways that tourists can show cultural respect for the Balinese language when on vacation.
Rather than saying ‘Hello’, tourists can say ‘Om Swastiastu’ and rather than saying ‘thank you’ or ‘terima kasih’, which is Bahasa Indonesia, tourists can say ‘matur suksuma’ …the rest comes with time and curiosity!
For tourists who return to Bali year after year, or those who will be based in Indonesia for longer than a vacation, learning a little more Bahasa Bali, or Bahasa Indonesia, can make day-to-day life not only easier but more interesting.
There are language schools dotted across Bali that offer 1:1 sessions, group classes, short immersion courses, and longer, more intensive language training. Here at The Bali Sun, our top pick is Cinta Bahasa, but make sure to do your research to find a school that feels like a good fit for your learning style.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Michelle Synnot
Saturday 7th of February 2026
As an Australian, I am learning to speak Balinese language myself. I think its a really good idea. It is respectable and convenient to communicate for the locals.
Regards Michelle
WAYAN BO
Friday 6th of February 2026
Yeah should learn all three, to make them able to communicate on all levels. - Speak Balinese that whole world can understand you !
Randy
Thursday 5th of February 2026
Indonesians from other islands who are residing or visiting in Bali speak little Balinese but they do assimilate with the Balinese community. The Bahasa Indonesia is the national language that is used to communicate among Indonesians (from different dialects and ethnicities ) in the vast archipelago.
Therefore asking the foreign tourists to learn few phrases in Balinese is all good and fun but further than that may be harder. Let alone assimilating with the locals and appreciating the local culture, and following the law, good luck with that...we have heard too many negative stories in Bali. Some long term foreign residents do not even speak simple bahasa Indonesia let alone Balinese but would certainly use the BPJS (Indonesian National Health care). Just like newly asylum seekers or some economic foreign immigrants in Western countries, little assimilation with the host country but will tap into the generous benefits that are offered.
Furthermore the hotel personnel, shopkeepers and restaurant servers may all not be Balinese except to those working and defending temples and cultural sights who are Balinese and Hindus.
Jean-Jacques Amella
Thursday 5th of February 2026
Can all shops everyday dresss as Balinese. As a shopper at Nirmala and other have a screen with word/ pharse of the day/ week as customet go in, also an App to learn Balinese.