A 26-year-old construction worker from Switzerland, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, came under law enforcement scrutiny after sharing a (now deleted) video on social media. It showed him walking on an empty beach during the Hindu festival Nyepi, with the scene described in the background as “crazy,” reported Unilad.
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The video was posted on March 19, during Nyepi – also known as the “Day of Silence.” This is a 24-hour period during which locals and tourists must stay at home or in hotels, dim the lights, avoid noise, and engage in silent meditation. On this day, the island’s airport is completely closed, internet access is restricted, all entertainment events are canceled, and electricity usage is limited.
According to court documents, L.A. Zgraggen arrived in Bali on February 10, and before the March “Day of Silence,” hotel staff thoroughly explained the applicable restrictions to him. However, prosecutors claim the tourist became upset because he could not leave the hotel to buy food, and he vented his anger online.
In one of the videos, he walked in the dark and captioned it “it’s quite calm outside,” adding profanities about the religious festival rules. Although he quickly deleted the videos after receiving hundreds of negative comments, other users managed to save and share them on other platforms. According to the indictment, this prompted the Swiss man to repost the video with a provocative caption: “They want smoke” (English slang meaning a challenge to conflict or fight).
Regret in court did not help
The man was arrested after trying to ease the situation by contacting a senator of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council to apologize. His trial began in June.
According to Unilad, in court the Swiss man claimed he did not understand the extent of Nyepi restrictions and certainly did not intend to offend the people of Bali.
“I deeply regret what I did and apologize to the Balinese,” he said in court.
Despite expressing remorse, on August 20 he was sentenced to one year in prison.
“The defendant’s actions offended the people of Bali, hurt their faith, and provoked public outrage,” said Judge Tjokorda Putra Budi Pastima. “The defendant must take responsibility for his actions.”
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By the way, L.A. Zgraggen is by no means the first to be punished for violating these rules – previously tourists were detained or immediately deported for this.
What you need to know about Bali’s “Day of Silence”
This is the most important event in the Saka New Year calendar, celebrated after the March new moon. Every year, Bali completely shuts down for 24 hours: no lights, no music, silence prevails. All transportation is stopped, and everyone – locals and tourists alike – must stay at home. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and spiritual cleansing.
Tourists staying during the “Day of Silence” must follow these main rules:
Stay in your accommodation. Going outside, even for a short walk, is strictly prohibited. This phase is called Amati Lelunganan – abstaining from leaving home or traveling.
Reduce noise and lighting. This helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere. Avoid talking on electronic devices, loud conversations, or noisy activities.
No work or physical activity. You cannot go to the beach or engage in active entertainment. Instead, try to enjoy the calm. This is the Amati Karya phase – abstaining from work.
Give up festivities. This step, called Catur Brata Penyepian, is a fundamental aspect of Nyepi, which the Balinese observe with great respect and dedication.
Respect the meaning of the festival. Make sure you have enough supplies (food, water), and do not disturb the festive peace in any way. Note that check-in and check-out times at hotels change on this day.
Locals encourage tourists to take this opportunity to meditate, reflect, and simply embrace the tranquility of this unique day. It is also reminded to always ask permission before taking photos and to respect the sanctity of rituals.
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