Five Mountains Festival
| Five Mountains Festival | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Cultural festival |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Rotating between villages in Magelang Regency |
| Location(s) | Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia |
| Inaugurated | 2002 |
| Founder | Sutanto Mendut |
| Organised by | Komunitas Lima Gunung (Five Mountains Community) |
The Five Mountains Festival (Indonesian: Festival Lima Gunung), abbreviated as FLG, is an annual cultural festival held in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.[1] Initiated in 2002 by the Komunitas Lima Gunung (Five Mountains Community), a group of farmer-artists from the slopes of five mountains surrounding Magelang,[2] the festival is known for its independence, having never used sponsorship funds from either the government or private parties throughout its history.[2][3]
The name refers to the five mountains that surround the Magelang area: Mount Merapi, Mount Merbabu, Mount Andong, Mount Sumbing, and the Menoreh hills (with some sources mentioning Mount Sindoro instead of Menoreh).[1][4] The festival features traditional and contemporary dance, music, poetry, art exhibitions, cultural parades, discussion forums, and the presentation of the Lima Gunung Award.[4]
History
The Five Mountains Festival was first held in 2002 in Warangan Hamlet, Muneng Warangan Village, Pakis Subdistrict, Magelang Regency.[2][4] It was initiated by the Komunitas Lima Gunung (Five Mountains Community), a group of farmer-artists living on the slopes of the five mountains surrounding Magelang. The community was established in 1997 by cultural figure Sutanto Mendut.[4][5]
The festival was created as a grassroots cultural event to celebrate local arts and culture, and to preserve the traditions of the farming communities in the region.[3] Since its inception, the festival has operated on a principle of self-reliance, without using sponsorship funds from either the government or private parties.[2][3] Festival president Sutanto Mendut stated at the 12th festival in 2013: "We strive to be independent, to the best of our capacity, without relying on the minister, the governor or the regent."[3]
The festival is held in rotation among seven villages on the slopes of the five mountains.[6] Warangan Hamlet, the original venue from 2002, has hosted the festival multiple times, including in 2002, 2003, 2014, and 2026.[5]
In 2010, beginning with the ninth festival, the community took a "vow to the land" (sumpah tanah) as a commitment to organize the festival without sponsors or proposals to businesses or the government.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival continued despite restrictions. The 19th edition in 2020 was held with strict health protocols, with performances staged on rooftops and limited audiences to prevent crowding.[8]
Editions
2026 (25th edition)
The 25th Five Mountains Festival, marking the silver jubilee, was held from 10–12 July 2026 in Warangan Hamlet, the original venue from 2002.[2][4] The festival carried the theme Makin Goblok Bareng (Getting More Foolish Together), encouraging humility, lifelong learning, and recognizing personal limitations.[2]
The festival opened with a tree-planting ritual called Nandur Eling (Planting the Memory), led by five community leaders including local elder Darto (76), hamlet head Budiono, village secretary Solichin, Lima Gunung Community chairman Sujono, and cultural figure Sutanto Mendut.[4] They planted five tree saplings: Krengsek, pule, Jamaican cherry, guava, and durian.[4]
A total of 85 art groups with 1,274 performers took part in the festival.[9] The festival featured traditional, modern, and contemporary performances, including dance, music, poetry, art exhibitions, cultural parades, lectures, and discussion forums.[4]
During the closing ceremony, the Lima Gunung Award was presented to 81-year-old sinden (traditional Javanese female singer) Sukitri, affectionately known as Mbah Kitri, for her lifelong dedication to preserving Javanese traditional arts.[9] The award was accepted by her son, Triyono, a traditional puppeteer (dalang).[9]
2025 (24th edition)
The 24th Five Mountains Festival was held from 9–13 July 2025 in Tutup Ngisor Hamlet, Sumber Village, Dukun Subdistrict.[10][11] The festival carried the theme Andhudhah Kawruh Sinengker (Unearthing Hidden Knowledge).[10] A giant contemporary art installation of Ganesha, measuring 7 x 4 metres, was created using natural materials from the Merapi area.[10] The festival featured approximately 80 art groups with 1,225 performers from Magelang, other cities, and abroad.[11] A total of 93 events, both sacred and profane, were held, including traditional rituals, contemporary art performances, music, theater, poetry readings, cultural parades, and the Lima Gunung Award presentation.[11]
2024 (23rd edition)
The 23rd Five Mountains Festival was held from 17–29 September 2024, with the peak events taking place from 25–29 September in Keron Hamlet, Krogowanan Village, Sawangan Subdistrict.[12][13] The festival carried the theme Wolak-Waliking Jaman Kelakone (The Changing Times).[12] Approximately 120 art groups with around 2,000 performers participated, coming from various regions including Magelang, Purworejo, Wonosobo, Temanggung, Yogyakarta, Salatiga, Semarang, Malang, Bali, Indramayu, Jakarta, Lumajang, Bogor, and Bulukumba, as well as international groups from Malaysia and Mexico.[12] This edition was extended to five days due to high demand, compared to the usual three days.[13]
2023 (22nd edition)
The 22nd Five Mountains Festival was held from 25–27 August 2023 in Sudimoro Hamlet, Baleagung Village, Grabag Subdistrict.[14][15] The festival carried the theme Kalis Ing Kahanan. Approximately 80 art groups with 1,700 performers participated.[15] The festival featured an art exhibition with 70 paintings and masks by 63 local artists.[15] The Lima Gunung Award was presented to Bante Sri Pannavaro Mahatera, the head of Mendut Temple.[15]
2022 (21st edition)
The 21st Five Mountains Festival was held from 30 September–2 October 2022 in Mantran Wetan Hamlet, Girirejo Village, Ngablak Subdistrict, on the slopes of Mount Andong.[16][17] The festival carried the theme Wahyu Rumagang (Awakening), emphasizing the importance of revival, especially for the younger generation, to live a better life after the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] A total of 63 art groups with approximately 1,300 performers participated.[16] The festival featured traditional, modern, and contemporary dance, music, cultural parades, art exhibitions, and cultural speeches.[16] Cultural figure Emha Ainun Nadjib attended the festival.[17]
2021 (20th edition)
The 20th Five Mountains Festival was held in multiple rotations throughout 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18][19] The first rotation was held on 21 May 2021 at the Tlompak spring in Gejayan Hamlet (Mount Merbabu).[18] The second rotation was held on 29 August 2021 in Sudimoro Hamlet, Grabag Subdistrict, with the theme "2021 Peradaban Dari Desa" (Civilization from the Village), featuring performances with no audience due to health protocols.[18] The third rotation was held on 12 September 2021 at the Gendu River in Warangan Hamlet, Pakis Subdistrict.[18] The fourth rotation was held on 29 September 2021 at Studio Mendut, Mungkid Subdistrict.[18] The fifth and final rotation was held on 10 October 2021 in Mantran Wetan Hamlet, Ngablak Subdistrict (Mount Andong).[18]
2020 (19th edition)
The 19th Five Mountains Festival was held on 10 August 2020 in Krandegan Hamlet, Sukomakmur Village, Kajoran Subdistrict.[20] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was held in a muted fashion with strict health protocols, banning crowds and staging performances on rooftops with fewer than 50 people.[8] The event was broadcast live via YouTube.[20]
2019 (18th edition)
The 18th Five Mountains Festival was held from 10–12 August 2019.[7] The festival emphasized the theme Gunung Lumbung Budaya, championing national identity through cultural diversity.[21]
Activities
The Five Mountains Festival features a wide range of activities, including:
- Traditional and contemporary dance performances
- Music performances, including gamelan
- Poetry readings
- Art exhibitions (paintings, photography, batik)
- Cultural parades (kirab)
- Lectures and discussion forums
- The Lima Gunung Award presentation[4][9]
The festival also includes rituals such as the tree-planting ceremony Nandur Eling (Planting the Memory), which symbolizes gratitude for life, community ties, and the natural environment.[4]
See also
- Borobudur Marathon
- List of festivals in Indonesia
- Magelang Regency
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Five Mountains Festival (Festival Lima Gunung)". H-Net. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Five Mountains Festival to Feature Getting More Foolish Together Theme". RRI.co.id. 2026-07-08. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "The Five Mountains Festival". The Jakarta Post. 2013-07-13. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 "Tree-planting ritual opens Indonesia's Lima Gunung Festival". ANTARA News. 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Mengenal Festival Lima Gunung, Bertahan 25 Tahun Tanpa Sponsor Berkat Swadaya Warga". Kompas (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2026-07-13. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Community Participation and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Five Mountains Festival". digilib.isi.ac.id. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Festival Lima Gunung 2018 Digelar 10-12 Agustus, Ganjar Pranowo Ikut Njathil". Bisnis (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Five Mountains Festival: Solemn prayer for safety during pandemic". ANTARA News. 2020-09-12. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Elderly Sinden Mbah Kitri Wins Award at 25th Five Mountains Festival". RRI.co.id. 2026-07-12. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Festival Lima Gunung 2025 di Magelang akan Diikuti 1.225 Seniman, Catat Tanggalnya". Radar Magelang (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Festival Lima Gunung yang murah hati". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Digelar hingga 29 September, Festival Lima Gunung Dimeriahkan 120 Kelompok Kesenian". Jatengprov (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2024-09-18. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Kirab seniman tutup Festival Lima Gunung di Magelang". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2024-09-29. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Festival Lima Gunung 2023, perayaan pergulatan desa". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Disparora: Festival Lima Gunung penting bagi pariwisata Magelang". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 "Bupati: Festival Lima Gunung implementasikan gotong royong warga". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Menemukan banyu "perwitasari" di Festival Lima Gunung". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 "Festival Lima Gunung 2021 digelar di lahan hortikultura Gunung Andong". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Festival Lima Gunung bersiasat tak bocor". ANTARA News (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Five Mountains Festival: Solemn Prayer for Safety During Pandemic". Tempo. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Photo: The 18th Five Mountains Festival puts spotlight on national unity through culture". The Jakarta Post. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
External links
- Komunitas Lima Gunung on Instagram
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