Amnéville Zoo's Summer Event to Celebrate Balinese Culture

The Amnéville Zoological Park (Zoo Amnéville), one of the major zoos closest to Luxembourg, recently announced the launch of a new summer event: a cultural journey to Bali.

The programme will be an immersion in Balinese culture throughout the summer with traditional dance shows and various cultural activities. Throughout the day, visitors will be treated to demonstrations of topeng tua, puspanjali and joged bumbung, followed by photo opportunities and dance lessons for visitors.

Topeng Tua is a type of Balinese masked theatre that depicts mythological and historical figures through expressive masks and precise movements. Each mask represents a specific character with its own story and personality.

Puspanjali is a welcoming dance that is often performed at the beginning of ceremonies to greet guests. It is characterised by graceful movements and gestures, symbolising a warm Balinese welcome and hospitality.

Joged bumbung is a social dance often performed during festivities and community celebrations. It is characterised by its interactivity, with dancers sometimes inviting spectators to join them on stage to dance along.

In between performances, children will have the opportunity to take part in various creative workshops. The workshops in July include a makeup stand, a group painting workshop to celebrate the unity of people and cultures and the creation of mandalas.

From August to mid-September, workshops will include painting on traditional hats and masks, kite-making, mandala creation and a makeup stand.  

After each performance, a colourful parade will be on display through the zoo's alleys.

This Asian theme is linked to awareness-raising actions in which the Amnéville Zoo is participating. The European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) is aimed at alerting the public to the many threats to Asian species. This campaign, displayed in front of several enclosures housing animals native to Asia, addresses crucial issues such as species extinction, environmental threats and scientific experiments on animals. Among these species are: tigers, snow leopards and Amur leopards, red pandas, grey otters, long-tailed macaques, binturongs, black kites and reticulated pythons.

Through this campaign, visitors are invited to reflect on these issues and take action to help conservation.

In addition, installed in the children’s area since summer 2023, this aquatic playground offers a refreshing break for visitors. With its 600 m² of water jets, mist screens and misting arches, the Jungle Splash aims to ensure visitors’ comfort during the hot weather while adopting an eco-responsible approach. The Jungle Splash and the zoo’s wooded park make the temperature around a few degrees cooler than in the cities.

Zoo Amnéville noted it is participating in the conservation of vulnerable species and species in danger of extinction according to the Red List of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and according to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it has recorded more than 200 births of rare species over the past three years.