Who knew thousands of handcrafted pinwheels could turn a quiet village into the most Instagrammable destination in Yogyakarta?

Over the weekend, Kalurahan Sriharjo in Imogiri, Bantul, lit up with a breathtaking sea of kitiran—traditional windmills—during the 2025 edition of the Festival Kitiran Sriharjo. With vibrant colors spinning in the breeze along scenic tourist trails like Lumbung Mataraman, Lembah Sorori, and Taman Girli Indah, this wasn’t just a festival—it was a full-on aesthetic moment.

But beyond the visuals, the message behind it hit deep: “Urip Kudu Obah” (Life Must Keep Moving)—a theme that speaks to resilience, motion, and the spirit of always pushing forward, just like the endlessly spinning kitiran.

A Festival Fueled by Nostalgia and Creativity
From afar, the pinwheels might look like a fun photo op, but they carry weight. For many, they’re a throwback to simpler times—traditional childhood games that are now being preserved and celebrated on a village-wide scale. And for the residents of Sriharjo? This is about protecting cultural heritage while showcasing innovation.

The festival wasn’t just for show. A massive kitiran competition brought together all 63 RT (neighborhood groups) of Sriharjo to create both traditional and reimagined versions of the windmill toy. From minimalist bamboo designs to creatively engineered structures, each kitiran told its own story.

“We want this to be more than just art—we want it to attract tourists and show what Sriharjo has to offer,” said Sriharjo’s village chief, Titik Istiyawatun Khasanah.

Community Power in Motion
If there's one thing the Kitiran Festival proved, it's that Sriharjo runs on gotong royong—the Indonesian value of communal cooperation. Locals came together to build, paint, and install thousands of pinwheels with care and pride, transforming everyday village paths into a whimsical, moving gallery of culture.

“The creativity and collaboration shown here are remarkable,” said Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih, who attended the festival’s grand finale at Panggung Terbuka Sono Seneng, located in Desa Wisata Srikeminut. “Sriharjo has shown it has the people and the spirit to preserve and grow its cultural treasures.”

Why Young People Are Paying Attention
Let’s be real—events like this don’t usually make it to your TikTok feed. But the Kitiran Festival is different. It’s colorful, it’s nostalgic, and it’s surprisingly deep. Photos of thousands of pinwheels lining the hillside, spinning under the breeze, are blowing up online. And with the message of “keep moving forward” resonating with youth dealing with life’s uncertainties, this little cultural celebration suddenly feels like a metaphor for modern living.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to see an entire village come together to build a wind-powered art installation that literally moves with the wind?

 
TL;DR?
Sriharjo just proved that you don’t need a mega-budget to create something truly magical. With thousands of spinning windmills and a powerful message at its core, the Kitiran Festival 2025 is what happens when culture, creativity, and community collide.

Add it to your bucket list. Or better yet, grab your phone, hit Sriharjo, and let the kitiran show you how beautiful movement—and tradition—can be.