"The photo exhibition, from October 3 to December 31, involves 15 photographers, including seven from Balinese print media companies, three photographers from ANTARA News Agency, a European Pressphoto Agency photographer, and four freelancers," Nyoman Hendra, a photographer and participant, stated in Denpasar, Friday.
The photographs on display shed light on the occurrences since the onset of the pandemic in Bali, such as the return of foreigners from Bali due to COVID-19, the situation at Ngurah Rai Airport when the virus first surfaced, swab tests at Badung Market, officers spraying disinfectant at the residents' homes, and the Kumbasari Market that was exposed to COVID-19.
Other photographs depict the restrictions on community activities in Denpasar, learning and worship activities online, penalties for violators of health protocols, and new habits and adapting to the new normal, such as reopening of worship activities, preparations for opening hotels, and reopening of public spaces.
Hendra, a photographer from the Bali bureau of ANTARA News Agency, remains optimistic that the images would edify the public and bring about a broader realization of the real threats and presence of COVID-19.
"The photos on display serve as a source of information and an educational platform for the people and for us, as photojournalists on the field, to continue to seek information on COVID-19. The people are expected to continue to maintain their health," he affirmed.
An equally crucial goal is for the public to selectively skim through and read information on the COVID-19 pandemic and be weary of deceptive false news in addition to continuing to have belief in the work of photojournalists from the mass media recognized by the Council of Press.
"ANTARA News Agency also annually holds a journalistic photo exhibition on 'One Year of Bali' to celebrate the agency's 83rd anniversary (1937-2020)," he revealed.
The exhibition is held at the Dharma Negara Alaya Building and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time as a mark of appreciation of the 2020 Denpasar Festival committee to photojournalists in Bali for their efforts in providing information on COVID-19 through images.
Baca juga: Pewarta Foto ANTARA dan Fotografer Bali pamerkan 40 foto COVID-19 semarakkan Denfest 2020
On Thursday (Oct 1), Head of the Denpasar City Tourism Office, M.A. Dezire Mulyani, had stated that Denpasar, as a creative city, did not want to simply stand idle and lament over the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, Denpasar Mayor I.B. Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, along with his deputy, Jaya Negara, had tasked the Denpasar Creative Agency with making breakthroughs to drive the people's economy.
"Hence, the Denpasar Festival 2020, scheduled to be opened by Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time, aims to showcase Denpasar's leading creative products to the public at large. These creative products can be in the form of expressions, creations, and contributions to the city," Mulyani affirmed.
EDITED BY INE
