Umbrella parade enlivens Surakarta at Fespin 2025

The Indonesian Umbrella Festival (Fespin) has once again enlivened Surakarta City, Central Java. Held at Balekambang Park, the series of events for the festival began ran in Sep. 5-7, 2025. Surakarta Mayor Respati Ardi attended the opening ceremony, which included the Nusantara Umbrella Parade.

Fespin 2025 Director Heru Mataya stated that this year marks the 12^th edition of the festival. Fespin was even included in the top ten of the Tourism Ministry's Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN).

"The theme for the 12^th Fespin is 'Catra Panji' (Panji Umbrella)," Heru said in Surakarta City, which is also known as 'Solo.'

He explained that the series of events at Fespin 2025 encompassed, among others, the Nusantara Umbrella Parade, a Festival Market showcasing the local community's creative economy potential, and the Selasar Solo Art Market (SAM) showcasing its creative products.

"Next, there's Kampoeng Rempah, a space that offers a wellness experience based on Javanese tradition [which] combines elements of education, relaxation, and active community participation through jamu (Indonesian traditional herbal medicine), spa, yoga, and local herbal products," Heru elaborated.

The Performing Arts event at the festival featured seven groups from various regions in Indonesia, such as the Jakarta Special Capital Region (DKI), Bandar Lampung City, and West Manggarai Regency.

Pop singer Fanny Soegi also enlivened the event. Meanwhile, fashion designers also participated in the Fashion Show at Fespin 2025.

Fespin 2025 presented the Traditional Umbrella Exhibition (De Payung), Creative Umbrella Exhibition, and Mixed Media Umbrella Art. Moreover, a book titled "Catra Panji: Cerita Panji & Dongeng Nusantara" was launched at Fespin 2025. 

In addition, the historical journey of Fespin from 2014 to 2025 will be showcased in the Fespin Museum Exhibition. The Indonesian occasion has a sister festival relationship with the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in Thailand.

"Fespin is not only an arts and cultural space, but also a space for education and literacy," Heru concluded.