KBRN, Yogyakarta: The Yogyakarta Cultural Festival (FKY) will return from October 11–18, 2025, in Gunungkidul Regency.

This year’s theme, Adoh Ratu, Cedhak Watu (literally “far from the king/leader, close to the stone”), reflects the customs and traditions of the Gunungkidul community and will take place at Logandeng Field, Playen Subdistrict.

This marks the third year of FKY’s five-year roadmap, which rotates annually across regencies. Previous editions featured the themes of “food” in Kulon Progo (2023) and “objects” in Bantul (2024).

Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi, SS. M.A., Head of the Yogyakarta Special Region’s Cultural Agency (Kundha Kabudayan), said that FKY is undergoing a rebranding as a cultural forum that celebrates all cultural objects and engages all stakeholders, including the community. “This year marks the third year of the rebranding. It aligns with the roadmap, which shifts annually from one regency to another,” she said.

Gunungkidul is not merely a host for FKY 2025, but also presents an ecosystem intrinsically capable of responding to, filtering, and processing every encounter at the intersection of Yogyakarta’s vibrant cultural traffic.

Gunungkidul and “customs” are inseparable. Rich in diverse traditions and practices that operate organically, grow alongside history, are passed down through generations, and are embedded in daily social interactions.

Koes Yuliadi, a representative of the Yogyakarta Cultural Festival Steering Committee, added that the theme Adoh Ratu, Cedhak Watu is a recontextualization of Gunungkidul’s customs and traditions.

“This theme is an extraordinary concept for strengthening community identity. In Gunungkidul, it is embodied in relationships between humans, nature, and God. For example, in the bond between humans and livestock, which is expressed through traditional customs,” he said.

FKY 2025 goes beyond celebrating tradition. It facilitates spaces for encounter and exchange across diverse subjects, contexts, and values. The theme interprets customs as the lifeblood and life cycle of the people.

B. M. Anggana, Chair of the 2025 Yogyakarta Cultural Festival, said that this year’s FKY marks its 35th edition. He and the FKY research team have been developing the theme since May 2025.

Anggana added that the theme has become a source of passion within the community and now serves as a powerful statement in today’s socio-political context. Representing full independence, solidarity, and the sovereignty of the people.

The festival will open on October 11, 2025, at Logandeng Field, the main venue, with the Rajakaya Parade, a procession of livestock goats, followed by a brigade representing Yogyakarta’s distinctive military identity, a parade of ubo rampe gumbregan (offerings made from local agricultural products, served to livestock and the community as a form of gratitude to God), and village banner troops from the Village Banner Competition.

Programs representing the 2025 FKY theme Adoh Ratu, Cedhak Watu include: the FKY Competition (Village Banner, Rajakaya, Citizen Journalism), Cultural Exploration (Tourism Exploration, Workshops, and Drama Plays), Visual Arts Performances, the FKY Stage, FKY Fit, the “Ruwang Berdaya” Traditional Market, the Pawon Hajat Khasiat (Kitchen Savor) Festival, and FKY Rembug (talk shows, podcasts, and hangouts accompanied by local beverages).

All FKY 2025 programs are open to the public, and visitors can view the daily schedule via social media @infofky and the official website (fky.id).

Several programs are also presented through equal collaboration between the organizing committee, cultural actors and artists, and local Gunungkidul communities, including youth organizations, the All-Indonesia Women’s Sports Association (PERWOSI), and 18 subdistricts across Gunungkidul.

For example, the Telusur Tutur program, one of the pre-event activities running from September 26 to October 4, 2025, involves youth organizations and communities of religious adherents.

Meanwhile, the Pawon Hajat Khasiat program will serve as an experimental food space rooted in local customs and ingredients, collaborating with youth groups, women’s collectives, farmers, and village food activists. (Misni Parjiati/Ed. Lasti Martina)