FGS 2025 features water ritual, MURI record event, Tomato War

The 2025 Mount Slamet Festival (FGS) in Serang Village, Karangreja District, Purbalingga Regency, Central Java Province was opened on July 4, 2025. The public was treated to a series of events over three days until July 6, 2025.

They include the Munajat Serang recitation, a traditional water-collecting ceremony at Tuk Sikopyah, a concert headlined by Ghea Indrawari, and a tomato fight festival on the last day.

Purbalingga Deputy Regent Dimas Prasetyahani explained that this year's FGS is the festival's eight edition. Each year, the festival features a different national artist as a guest star.

"This year's Mount Slamet Festival is themed "The Royal Journey." It's special because it is part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN 2025)," Dimas said after the festival's opening on July 4, 2025.

He hoped that FGS 2025 will have a positive impact on the local community, particularly by improving the prosperity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) such as strawberry and coffee farmers.

"This festival doesn't just belong to the people of Serang [Village], but to Purbalingga Regency and even Indonesia [as a whole]. FGS will have a multiplier effect. Let's protect and care for nature because the earth and its riches are a legacy for the future of the people. We must not be left behind by neighboring regencies like Dieng [in terms of tourism]," he explained.

Meanwhile, Serang Village Head Sugito said that a Munajat Serang religious study will be held on the night of July 4, 2025. Residents from around Purbalingga and beyond were encouraged to join in, as tickets are free during the event.

"This event is free for everyone. There's also a cultural parade this afternoon. Later tonight, there's the Munajat Serang religious study," he added.

Furthermore, a traditional Tuk Sikopyah water-collecting ritual was held involving 148 local residents dressed in traditional Javanese attire and carrying bamboo lodongs or poles to carry said water.

"The Sikopyah water-collecting ritual will begin tomorrow with water collection using bamboo poles. 148 people will be involved. They will walk together for about 3 kilometer from Tuk Sikopyah to this venue. Then, that afternoon, a MURI (Indonesia World Records Museum) record-breaking event will be held involving 8,888 people eating local 3G rice (corned rice with stir-fryed papayas, tempe, and salted fish) together," Sugito explained.

After that was the Love Mist Festival featuring a music concert headlined by Ghea Indrawari. Indie artists like Danar Widianto and Dionisius Agung, a former Indonesian Idol contestant, was also be present.

"Tomorrow night, there will be a performance by national artist Ghea Indrawari, and many other artists will be supporting this event," Sugito said.

On the third day, there was the Tomato War held as a form of gratitude from local tomato farmers for the bountiful harvest this year.

"One ton of tomatoes grown locally will be provided. These tomatoes will be available for free to anyone, not just local residents," Sugito emphasized.

He targeted 50,000 visitors for the three-day FGS 2025, up from the previous year's 43,000 visitors.

"This year, we're targeting 50,000 visitors. Last year, we had 43,000 visitors. This is a realistic target," he concluded.