Magelang, en.SERU.co.id — The passion behind Festival Lima Gunung continues to burn brightly after a quarter of a century. Now marking its 25th anniversary in 2026, the cultural event returns to its original home in Dusun Warangan, Desa Muneng Warangan, Kecamatan Pakis, Kabupaten Magelang, on July 10–12.
What sets this festival apart is its unwavering commitment to independence. Organized entirely through community effort and mutual cooperation, it accepts no financial support or sponsorships from any external party.
Visitors this year will enjoy smoother access, thanks to a newly paved two-kilometer road leading to the venue. The asphalt work, completed ahead of the event by the local government, is separate from the festival’s own operations.
The festival was born from the vision of Magelang cultural figure Sutanto Mendut, who founded Komunitas Lima Gunung in 1997. The community brings together the rich traditions of people living around the five mountains: Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing, and Menoreh. Its first performance was held in 2002, and since 2010, the organizers have upheld the “Sumpah Tanah” pledge to run the event solely on the strength and gotong royong of local residents.
“We call it ‘without talking about money’. Everything—from setting up the stage and creating art installations to meals and logistics—is handled voluntarily by the community. If there are differences of opinion, they’re about values and decency, never about funding,” said Sujono, chairman of Komunitas Lima Gunung.
Sutanto Mendut emphasized that the festival’s 25-year journey has been sustained by deep personal bonds that cannot be measured in material terms. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit remained strong. This year’s theme, “Makin Goblok Bareng,” carries a humble message: an invitation to keep learning and improving together.
For the silver jubilee, organizers have selected 85 performing arts groups involving a total of 1,274 artists from various regions. The program features a rich mix of traditional and modern performances, collaborations, dance, music, theater, art installations, and a cultural parade.
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As a special tribute, the Lima Gunung Award will be presented to 81-year-old Mbah Sukitri, a longtime artist known for her work in vocal arts, dance, and gamelan.
Despite its long history, the community refuses to let the festival become a rigid tradition. For them, Festival Lima Gunung remains a living space for expression, driven by genuine passion and sincerity — proof that culture can thrive and endure without relying on large financial injections.
The Magelang Regency government has welcomed the initiative. Regent Grengseng Pamuji said the administration’s role is simply that of a facilitator, providing space for citizens’ creativity so that cultural values remain preserved and relevant in modern times. (gts/mzm)
