The slopes of Mount Merbabu in Warangan Hamlet, Muneng Warangan Village, Pakis District, Magelang, are preparing to become the focal point for the nation's art enthusiasts. For three days, from Friday (July 10, 2026) to Sunday (July 12, 2026), the grand event of the 25th Five Mountains Festival (FLG) will once again greet the public, showcasing an authentic diversity of performing arts.
Initiated by the Five Mountains Community (Komunitas Lima Gunung), the festival steadfastly upholds the principle of self-reliance. Sujono, Head of the Five Mountains Community, emphasized that they consistently decline reliance on private or government sponsors. Instead, they choose to strengthen community-based networks and mutual cooperation (gotong royong) among artists and local community members around the five mountains: Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing, and Menoreh.
A total of 85 art groups featuring 1,274 artists have been confirmed to participate in the event. The lineup covers a broad spectrum, ranging from traditional and contemporary dance, theater performances, dramatic readings, to noise music experiments that will enliven the atmosphere in Warangan Hamlet from morning to night.
To maintain artistic quality, the organizers have implemented a stricter curation process than in previous years. Nabila Rifany, a community member, explained that a maximum time limit of 15 minutes was introduced to maintain stage intensity. Nevertheless, space is still reserved for longer-duration works scheduled during the morning sessions.
Since it was first conceived by cultural activist Sutanto Mendut in 2002, the Five Mountains Festival has transformed into a democratic space of expression for artists. With performances running from 09:30 to 22:30 WIB, the event is expected to remain a symbol of cultural resilience for mountain communities amidst modern challenges.
