Enjoy a kiss before it's banned - News on Kissing March 2004 - The Balinese will try to recapture some of the lost romance associated with the beautiful indonesian island resort this month when islanders hold a kissing festival, despite Indonesia's Government proposing a ban on kissing in public. Teenagers in Sesetan village, south of Denpasar ( the capital of Bali ) will hold a kissing festival on the 22nd of March 2004, as part of an annual event known as Med-Medan. To celebrate the Med-Medan, groups of teenage boys and girls will pray in the local Banjar Temple before beginning to take turns kissing. The public display of passion was traditionally meant to ward off unexpected events and bad luck. Local elders said the event has become increasingly popular with foreign tourists. The festival will be held despite the Indonesian Government considering a crackdown on immoral behaviour, including kissing in public, erotic dancing, sex parties, and sex in public places. Back to main page