Indonesia’s famous Golo Curu Festival 2025 concluded in a spirit of deep devotion to Mary, Queen of the Rosary, and a vibrant celebration of the Manggarai people’s rich cultural heritage.
The annual festival, held every October 3–7, has become one of the leading religious tourism icons in the country’s East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). The celebration coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7) and the penti, or traditional harvest thanksgiving, of the Manggarai people. Taking place just before the rainy season, the festival enjoys clear skies and a joyful atmosphere.
The main venue is the compound of Ruteng Cathedral, Diocese of Ruteng, in Manggarai Regency, which spans about one hectare. The central religious procession leads to Golo Curu Hill, home to the Grotto and Chapel of Mary, Queen of the Rosary.
“This festival is an expression of faith and culture,” said Fr. Dr. Martin Chen, Director of the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Ruteng and coordinator of the event. “The Manggarai people deeply love the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they call Ende Pati Mose Nai, the Mother who cares for and walks with her children.”
For Yohana “Vigis” Virgilia Juanita, a first-year theology student at St. Paul Catholic University of Ruteng, being part of the grand dance performance was a moment of pride.
“Though the days of practice were tiring, everything was worth it,” she said. “The festival beautifully blended Catholic devotion and local wisdom.”
Faith, Culture, and Coffee: A Sacred Blend
The Golo Curu Festival draws its inspiration from both religious devotion and the coffee culture deeply rooted in Manggarai life. The fertile highlands of Ruteng make coffee not only the region’s main livelihood but also a symbol of hard work, unity, and gratitude.
The grand cultural dance, a highlight of the festival, symbolizes the Rosary beads, expressing the unity between humanity, God, and nature. Two signature rituals, tuk kopi (pounding coffee) and inung kopi weru (drinking freshly brewed coffee), reflect thanksgiving for life’s struggles and blessings.
One of the most beloved moments is the “A Thousand Cups of Coffee” event, where people from different ethnicities, faiths, and generations gather to share coffee, a living sign of fraternity and harmony.
A Holistic Celebration of Faith and Creation
According to Fr. Martin Chen, the Golo Curu Festival goes beyond a religious event; it embodies holistic and inclusive religious tourism, integrating spiritual, cultural, economic, ecological, and interfaith dimensions.
The five-day celebration features:
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Art and cultural performances, including caci, danding, mbata, and rangkuk alu dances;
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Exhibitions showcasing local handicrafts, weaving, and culinary traditions;
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Social and environmental service activities;
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Marian processions honoring Our Lady of the Rosary.
The closing Eucharistic celebration and grand procession from Ruteng Cathedral to Golo Curu Hill brought together thousands of faithful and visitors. “This festival bridges faith and culture while empowering local communities to grow in economy, ecology, and solidarity,” Fr. Martin told Radio Veritas Asia (RVA).
Purpose and Vision
The organizers of the Golo Curu Festival emphasize five core goals that shape its purpose and vision. The festival aims to promote spiritual and cultural-based tourism that strengthens both local identity and the economy. It seeks to foster community participation through the active involvement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local art groups.
In addition, the event promotes sustainable and inclusive tourism inspired by Indonesia’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity in Diversity”). Another key goal is to strengthen cooperation between the Church and government in community empowerment efforts. Finally, the festival aspires to offer pilgrims a unique and meaningful experience that harmoniously blends faith, culture, and local heritage.
Faith Alive in the Highlands
For visitors and pilgrims alike, the Golo Curu Festival offers a journey that touches both spirit and senses, praying the Rosary in procession, watching dance and music, tasting local coffee, and sharing in the Manggarai philosophy of nai ca anggit, tuka ca leleng (“supporting and strengthening one another”).
The festival has become an icon of faith and culture on the western tip of Flores Island, a region where Catholicism and indigenous traditions coexist in harmony.
In the rhythm of the Rosary and the aroma of coffee, the Manggarai people give thanks for the gift of life, reminding the world that true faith grows through love, work, and brotherhood.
