Mountain festival enjoys success

JP/Tarko Sudiarno

The Five Mounts Festival received warm applause from locals, and was also graced with the attendance of big names including poet W.S. Rendra, intellectual/Catholic priest Sindhunata and noted dancer Eko Supriyanto.

The festival was held from Sunday to Monday at Warangan village at the foot of Mount Merbabu in Magelang, Central Java.

The Bojong dance troupe from Mount Menoreh performed Topeng Ireng (black mask), a very fast dance made more spectacular with the dancers' elaborate and colorful costumes and masks (photo above).

The festival was held to rival the official Borobudur International Festival, along with two other alternative festivals, and drew both domestic and foreign tourists. -- JP