Warangan Hamlet in Muneng Warangan Village, Pakis District, Magelang Regency, is preparing to take center stage in the country's arts world. From July 10 to 12, 2026, this hamlet on the slopes of Mount Merbabu will host the 25th Five Mountains Festival (Festival Lima Gunung / FLG). This year's celebration feels particularly special as it marks a quarter-century achievement of the festival in preserving the cultural dignity of rural communities.
Since it was first initiated by cultural practitioner Sutanto Mendut in 1997, the Five Mountains Community has successfully established itself as an inclusive artistic space for artists and farmers from the mountain regions of Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing, and Menoreh. Their consistency reached a crucial milestone in 2010 with the declaration of the "Land Vow" (Sumpah Tanah), a firm commitment to reject dependence on sponsors—from both government and private sectors—in order to safeguard creative sovereignty.
Chairman of the FLG XXV Local Committee, Teguh Suharianto, emphasized that all technical requirements—ranging from building bamboo stages and artistic installations to logistics—are still fully supported by community self-reliance. Although road infrastructure access to Warangan Hamlet has been improved by the local government, the collective spirit and mutual cooperation (gotong royong) of the residents remain the main lifeblood keeping this festival going for 25 years without interruption, even through the difficult period of the pandemic.
This edition will feature 85 art groups with a total of 1,274 artists from all across the archipelago. A wide array of performances—ranging from dance and musicalized poetry to cultural parades—will be presented under the theme "Makin Goblok Bareng" (Getting Foolish Together). This theme serves as a profound reflection on humility and a reminder for human beings to keep learning within a framework of brotherhood that transcends material barriers.
As a tribute to dedication in tradition preservation, the committee will also present the "Lima Gunung Award" to Sukitri, a master sinden (traditional female vocalist) and senior dancer from Pakis District. This award symbolizes the emotional bond between artists that serves as the foundation of the festival's strength, proving that dedication to culture is far more valuable than financial metrics.
