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Golo Koe Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival Returns to Labuan Bajo
WINDONESIA August 2, 2024
The Kolo Goe Festival 2024 procession carrying the statue of St. Mary in East Nusa Tenggara. (Kompas).
The Golo Koe Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival in Labuan Bajo Subdistrict, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province will be held again in 2024. The religious festival will take place from Aug. 1 to 15 2024.
The Golo Koe Festival 2024 Chairman Hilarius Madin said that the celebration is being organized by the Ruteng Roman Catholic Diocese in collaboration with the West Manggarai Regency Government.
In addition, the festival is supported by the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementation Agency (BPOLBF) and the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.
"The series of festival activities will be attended by 1,000 permanent participants from parishes, monastic communities, and educational institutions throughout the Ruteng Diocese," Hilarius said to reporters on July 31, 2024.
He explained that the series of religious processions began on Aug. 1, 2024 at the Old Rekas Church complex, and its route will pass through the Warsawe Hamlet in the Noa Parish, Melo Traditional Hamlet, Dalong Hamlet, Sok Rutung Hamlet, Merombok Hamlet, Wae Kesambi Parish, and the Labuan Bajo Parish.
"Don't forget the participation of various traditional and ethnic associations, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Flores, as well as tens of thousands of Catholics along with domestic and foreign tourists," he explained.
Labuan Bajo Episcopal Vicar Father Rikardus Manggu detailed that all permanent participants who attends are brought from 86 parishes throughout the Ruteng Diocese that encompass the regencies of Manggarai, East Manggarai, and West Manggarai.
"There are also permanent participants from special needs schools (SLB), high schools, and vocational high schools. Let's say 100 participants per parish, including monastic communities and educational institutions," he explained.
Meanwhile, Golo Koe Festival Chairman Father Kornelis Hardin said that the series of religious processions for the Festival begins at the Old Rekas Church because the Rekas parish is one of the oldest parishes in the area.
"So we want to start this festival from there. Besides the [Saint Mary] statue being delivered [on Aug. 1, 2024], there is also an opening mass there that will later be led by Labuan Bajo Bishop Reverendus Dominus (RD) Maksimus Regus," he explained.
The Golo Koe Festival 2024 is also designated as part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) list of festivals.
Source: travel.kompas.com