Labuan Bajo to Fall Silent for 9 Hours on Good Friday 2026, What Is It?

The Manggarai Barat Regency Government (Pemkab) in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) is continuing the Silent Friday programme alongside the Good Friday celebration on Friday (3 April 2026). The regency has socialised the reduction of activities for nine hours in Labuan Bajo. “This programme is one of the regional efforts to preserve the environment. The aim is to give nature time to rest from vehicle activities and create a calmer and more orderly atmosphere,” said the Regent of Manggarai Barat, Edistasius Endi, on Tuesday (31 March 2026). Silent Friday will take place for one day by restricting vehicle activities and other noise in the morning and afternoon. It will be divided into sessions from 06:00 WITA to 11:00 WITA, followed by 14:00 WITA to 18:00 WITA. In addition to vehicles, the government asks the community to reduce outdoor activities, electricity use, and plastic waste. The public is also urged to turn off loudspeakers and walk to places of worship. “The implementation of this programme will also pay special attention to worship activities starting from Good Friday and Friday prayers,” said Edi. The Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Mgr. Maksimus Regus, has welcomed the Silent Friday programme. He said the programme has been agreed upon by all parties, including the regional leadership coordination forum and religious figures. At the same time, Maksimus said the Cathedral Church will also hold a living Stations of the Cross service to commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross and the Good Friday celebration. “Good Friday will become our collective Silent Friday. The living Stations of the Cross celebration has also been arranged in accordance with the existing mechanisms,” he said. The living Stations of the Cross or tableau has routinely been held in Labuan Bajo in recent years on Good Friday. This public road celebration involves thousands of Catholics in Labuan Bajo.