Sarkem Fest 2026, Cultural Parade in the Ruwahan Tradition with Apem

YOGYKARTA - Sarkem Fest or the Flower Market Festival is a cultural event in the tradition of ruwahan held by Kalurahan Sosromenduran, Yogyakarta, Friday, February 13, 2026. The festival is marked by a cultural parade in the form of a gunungan apem procession but there is also a jazz music stage in front of Tugu Station.

The festival of traditional and modern culture blends in Sarkem Fest to welcome the holy month of Ramadan which is of interest not only to local tourists but also foreigners.

Moreover, the festival is held in a village which is one of the centers for backpacker tourists to stay because the price is relatively cheap for foreign tourists' pockets.

Even there is Jalan Sosrowijayan which is a tourist icon because it provides hotels or places to stay. Including houses that are transformed into inns, restaurants and bars as well as coffee shops.

Sarkem Fest is a cultural event that is routinely held every year. Only this year it was almost impossible to carry out due to budget efficiency. However, Ipung Purwandari, a community leader, who is also the Head of the Menduran Tourism Village, is trying to keep Sarkem Fest going.

The effort bore fruit because the festival could be held from 06.00 WIB to 23.00 WIB or 11 pm. Sarkem Fest is a collaboration between the Tourism Office, Kemantren Gedongtengen, Sosromenduran Village, the hospitality industry, Indonesian Tourism People (IPI), and Sosromenduran Tourism Village.

Sarkem Fest, which has entered its eighth year, upholds the tradition of the people of Sosromenduran every time before Ramadan, namely the Ruwahan tradition which is synonymous with apeman.

Ruwahan is a Javanese culture to welcome Ramadan, which is held in the Ruwah/Sya'ban month in the Javanese/Hijriah calendar. This tradition preserves kinship, charity, and is a symbol of self-purification before fasting.

Various events were also held, including the making of apem, kenduri ruwatan, jazztrian in the Pasar Kembang area, band & dance performances and the peak of the apem gunung parade. During the parade, 1,000 apem were distributed to the public.

Festival with apem making activities. Why apem? In addition to traditional snacks, apem actually comes from the word afwan which means memata maaf. In addition to apem, there is kolak from the word khalik which is the Creator.

That humans must get closer to the Creator who is none other than Allah. While the ketan, like its sticky or adhesive shape, has the meaning of gluing or becoming a moment of family and community bonding.

"The results of making apem in the morning are then made into apem gunung. Then the apem gunung is carried out. During the procession, apem is distributed," said Ipung.

"This is an annual cultural event that must be maintained. Originally Sarkem Fest was going to be abolished because there was budget efficiency. However, we are trying to keep it going. Moreover, this event makes people more courageous. This is also a moment of thanksgiving to God. We also cleanse ourselves when entering Ramadan," said the woman who is also a member of the Yogyakarta City DPRD.

Meanwhile, Assistant for Economy and Development of the City of Yogyakarta, Kadri Renggono, welcomed the implementation of Sarkem Fest which involved communities and entrepreneurs in Pasar Kembang.

"We also hope that there will be updates in the framework of the Sarkem Fest activities that can increase tourism. This event also makes tourists able to stay longer in Yogyakarta. We hope that tourists will spend more time because it can increase the economy," said Kadri Renggono.