Labuan Bajo, August 1, 2025 – The Golo Koe Bunda Maria Nusantara 2025 Festival, a celebration of faith and culture, once again reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Labuan Bajo’s identity not only as a nature tourism destination but also as a spiritual tourism and Catholic pilgrimage destination in Indonesia. This inclusive spiritual celebration is organized by the Diocese of Labuan Bajo and is one of the Catholic-based festivals on the island of Flores.
With the theme “Weaving Together National Identity and Sustainable, Synodal, and Inclusive Tourism,” the Golo Koe Bunda Maria Nusantara 2025 Festival is one of the Top 10 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) for 2025, selected from a total of 110 national flagship events based on the Decree of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy No. SK/13/HK.01.02/MP/2025. This also marks a significant milestone for the Golo Koe Festival, which will enter its fourth year in 2025.
Unifying Spirituality
RD. Rikardus Manggu, Chairman of the Golo Koe Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival 2025, stated that this festival is an expression of the Catholic community’s faith that also reflects a spirit of inclusivity and solidarity across religions and cultures.
“This festival was born out of the spirituality of the people of Flores, who uphold the values of togetherness, respect for nature, and respect for human dignity. In the spirit of synodality, we are opening a space for dialogue among people of different faiths and making faith a unifying force for the nation,” he said.
The religious procession featuring the statue of Our Lady of the Maria Assumpta Nusantara, the grand Eucharistic celebration, environmental initiatives, and charitable social activities serve as symbols of the richness of faith intertwined with the strong cultural traditions of Manggarai.
Cross-Stakeholder Collaboration and the Development of Spiritual Tourism Itineraries
The Festival’s Executive Chair, Fransiskus Sales Sodo, explained that the success of the Golo Koe Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival 2025 is closely tied to collaboration among various stakeholders, including the church, the central and local governments, tourism industry players, indigenous communities, and young volunteers.
“This festival is not only a celebration of faith, but also a reflection of the rich local culture that has been passed down through generations, and we, the local government, continue to strengthen our collaboration with the church, indigenous communities, tourism stakeholders, and youth groups in West Manggarai to ensure this festival becomes an inclusive event that fosters harmony, tolerance, and the renewal of noble values as part of the cultural identity of the people of Flores,” explained Fransiskus.
Frans also believes that Flores Island has great potential as a center for Catholic religious tourism in Indonesia and around the world. A network of spiritual destinations—such as Marian grottoes, pilgrimage sites, and religious festivals—represents a cultural and spiritual strength that needs to be further harnessed by encouraging collaboration across districts, dioceses, and tourism stakeholders to strengthen connectivity and promote Catholic religious tourism in a sustainable manner.
Labuan Bajo, Flores: An Inclusive Catholic Religious Tourism Destination
In addition to featuring religious processions and activities, the Golo Koe Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival 2025 will also feature art performances, cultural parades, an MSME market, and interfaith dialogues. This celebration demonstrates that religious tourism is not merely a spiritual activity, but also a means of cultural empowerment and preservation. Through this festival, Labuan Bajo is recognized not only as the gateway to Komodo, but also as a symbol of Catholic spirituality that is vibrant, open, and integrated with the natural beauty and cultural richness of Flores.
Heribertus Ratu,
Publications Section of the Golo Koe Festival 2025
Website: festivalgolokoe.com
