12: Getting organized Culture and nationalism in Bali, 1959-1965

Lembaga Kebudajaan Nasional (LKN, Institute of National Culture), which was affiliated with the Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI, Indonesian National Party) was one of the most important of cultural institutions in Indonesia in terms of membership and national coverage. This chapter focuses on two main areas: first, the development of the Bali branch of LKN, its relationship with the Central LKN and with other cultural institutions in Bali and beyond; and second, the arts and cultural activities of LKN Bali. It shows how dynamic cultural activities were at a regional level in Indonesia between 1950 and 1965 and how national politics influenced such activities. The chapter argues that the existence of LKN Bali enlivened cultural activities on the island, in that members of this organization made enthusiastic use of a variety of traditional and modern art forms to express a veritable fever of nationalistic sentiment during this period. Keywords: cultural activities; Lembaga Kebudajaan Nasional (LKN) Bali; nationalism