Graha Wicaksana, the head of Community Development Institution of Kuta, Bali’s famous beach resort, announced the return of Kuta Karnival, scheduled for nine days from 18 until 26 October 2008. Initially, this event was established and organized as a response to the terrorist blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community in October 2002. After major cleansing ceremonies, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, and paying respect to those who left loved ones behind, the people of Kuta decided to continuously rebuild the image of the island of Bali, and look forward to a brighter and promising future for the island’s people and its tourism industry by restoring Bali’s image. The event marks Kuta community’s commitment and thus a tagline of "A Celebration of Life" is established for Kuta Karnival. The nine-day-long Kuta Karnival consists of traditional art performances such as the favorite Sunset Dances, sports on the beach as well as in the water for young and old plus rows and rows of culinary displays along the one kilometer of sandy beach.

With the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this year is the sixth year the event is held. In line with the development of this annual event, Kuta Karnival has grown into a tourism promotional event with major coverage from television and newspapers from across the globe. Companies, Embassies, Non-Government Organizations, Associations and even individuals come forth to get involved in the various events such as a Balinese dance competition presented by a surf-wear company, an environment exhibition presented by an Embassy, a fun cycle presented by a group of individuals, a seminar presented by an association and a parade on the streets presented by an NGO. Tourists and locals alike, more than ninety thousand people participate in the numerous events, year after year. A repeated tragedy in Bali in 2005 did not reduce the people’s determination to carry out this annual event. Kuta Kamival is conducted to commemorate and give respect to the victims of human violence and show the world the true spirit of local community survival despite terrorism attacks.

Background
The Community Development Institution of Kuta, better known as Lembaga Pemberdayaan Masyarakat LPM Kuta is an institution that looks after the welfare of the people of Kuta. Authorised to establish guidelines of community actions within the region, the institution supports a group of businessmen under the umbrella of Kuta Small Business Association whose concern is to rehabilitate the image that Kuta presents to the world, ostensibly a negative one due to the 12 October 2002 disaster. The people of Kuta realize that as the best-known destination in the whole of Bali, it is imperative that Kuta has a better reputation and that this improvement will be of benefit to the whole of Bali.