Warangan Hamlet, Muneng Warangan Village, Magelang, once again became the gravitational center of culture as the 25th Five Mountains Festival (FLG XXV) was officially held on July 10-12, 2026. Carrying the unique title "Makin Goblok Bareng" ("Getting Stupid Together"), farmer-artists on the mountain slopes offered a reflective oasis for modern society, which is often trapped in the illusion of technological sophistication and a sense of know-it-all attitude.
Cultural figure and pioneer of the Five Mountains Community (KLG), Sutanto Mendut, emphasized that the jargon is not a literal expression of ignorance. On the contrary, this theme is a subtle satire on the tendency of contemporary humans to lose their humility. FLG invites the audience to bow their heads once more, viewing nature and village life as the ultimate teacher that cannot be replaced by digital screens.
The festival, now entering its 25th year, stands as proof of the resilience of mutual cooperation among villagers. Without relying on major sponsors, 85 arts groups with a total of 1,274 artists from across the country—such as Jakarta, Cirebon, and Malang—collaborated self-reliantly. This spirit demonstrates that consistency in preserving the inner civilization of the village is the key to FLG's survival for a quarter of a century.
Throughout the event, an open stage set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Merbabu served as a silent witness to a dynamic cross-cultural dialogue. A wide array of performances, ranging from contemporary dance and experimental theater to literary readings, merged into a single meeting space. The diverse backgrounds of the artists were not a barrier, but rather enriched the artistic ecosystem rooted in agricultural land.
Head of the Five Mountains Community, Sujono, revealed that FLG is more than just a spectacle; it is a meeting space for sharing knowledge. For the villagers in the regions of Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing, and Menoreh, this festival remains the lifeblood of a cultural struggle that continues to be kept pure, participatory, and grounded.
