Labuan Bajo, July 6, 2026—The Golo Koe Festival highlights the integrity of creation as part of its theme for 2026. The full theme is “A Communal Pilgrimage in Synergistic Fellowship to Care for the Integrity of Creation.” This theme was chosen in response to concerns about the recent environmental crisis, marked by extreme weather and natural disasters in various parts of the world. At the same time, Labuan Bajo and its surrounding areas are being developed as a top-priority tourism destination.
The Golo Koe Festival was initiated by the Diocese of Ruteng, and now by Labuan Bajo, in response to the growth of tourism in Labuan Bajo. Through this festival, tourism is not only supported as an economic, social, and cultural driver, but is also reflected upon spiritually as a means of connecting with nature and one another, leading us to an awareness of God, who created and sustains this beautiful world.
Through the Golo Koe Festival, it is hoped that the campaign for environmentally friendly tourism development will resonate and be heard by all relevant stakeholders: the government, the private sector, and the community. This prophetic voice will not be drowned out by the clamor of development but will instead resonate more powerfully in elegant ways.
The Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Mgr. Maksimus Regus, in his remarks at the launch of the 2026 Golo Koe Festival on Thursday, June 4, 2026, reminded the audience that the world is facing “climate chaos” and “ecological scarcity.” In response to this crisis, the Church calls on all segments of society to engage in “ecological conversion,” manifested in concrete actions to make the earth our common home.
On the same occasion, West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi emphasized that this year’s theme serves as an important wake-up call to address the climate crisis through concrete action, not just rhetoric. The festival is expected to serve as a spiritual oasis where inner, social, and economic transformations take place, supporting sustainable coexistence in Labuan Bajo.
The Festival’s main event, taking place August 10–15, 2026, will feature a special ecological program. On August 11, 2026, an “Ecological Education and Action” event will be held, involving young people, students, and environmentally conscious communities in cleanup efforts and tree-planting activities. In addition, the Festival committee has expressed its commitment to promoting the movement to preserve the integrity of creation throughout the festival through several initiatives, including responsible waste management, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and concrete environmental restoration efforts such as planting coconut trees along the coastline.
Media Contact: Heribertus Ratu (081398461957), Publications Section, Golo Koe 2026 Festival Committee, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai
