The Mangkunegaran MakaN-MakaN culinary festival officially kicked off on Friday afternoon (May 1), serving as a vibrant celebration of the 269th anniversary of Pura Mangkunegaran. The opening ceremony took place at Pamedan Mangkunegaran, the historic green field situated directly in front of the palace in Solo, Central Java, and was marked by a traditional procession of distributing apem cakes to the public.
Gusti Raden Ajeng Ancillasura Marina Sudjiwo, fondly known as Gusti Sura, explained that the distribution of apem is part of the Boga Samromo tradition. This practice is a regular occurrence held every Sabtu Pon and during major celebratory events. “The essence of this procession is to share with others and distribute blessings,” she remarked following the opening ceremony.
To mark the anniversary, which is supported by Bank Permata, Katadata, and the DNC Foundation, ten different varieties of apem were shared with visitors. Gusti Sura highlighted that the evolution of these flavors reflects the changing times. “We have adapted this tradition to remain relevant, incorporating modern flavors such as chocolate, pandan, and tea-infused apem,” she added.
The festival, which runs from May 1 to May 3, 2026, features over 80 culinary and non-culinary tenants. It is open to the public with free admission, inviting guests to experience authentic dishes from the palace’s Abdi Dalem, such as tahu petis keprabon, trimo manyar, jenang Bu Nik, and pawon cenik. Additionally, legendary establishments are participating in the event, including the iconic Getuk Trio, which has been serving since 1958, and Rawon Penjara, a staple since the 1970s.
Gusti Sura expressed her hope that the event, known as Adeging Mangkunegaran, will continue to foster a sense of community while ensuring that local cultural heritage is preserved for future generations. The event has already captured the public’s imagination, with many attendees drawing comparisons to the magical aesthetic of the Harry Potter film series. Gusti Sura noted that this whimsical atmosphere, likely inspired by the prominent horse iconography used throughout the festival and the nearby Ngarsopuro corridor, has been a major hit on social media.
The enthusiasm of the Solo community was echoed by Glenn Ranti, Division Head of Corporate Communications at Permata Bank, who attended the opening. He expressed his excitement regarding the diverse selection of vendors. “More than 100 legendary micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) culinary tenants from Solo and its surrounding areas are participating in this festival,” Glenn noted. He emphasized that Permata Bank’s involvement aligns with the company’s commitment to creating meaningful value for clients and the wider community through impactful, collaborative events.
Summary
The Mangkunegaran MakaN-MakaN culinary festival has officially opened at Pamedan Mangkunegaran in Solo to celebrate the 269th anniversary of Pura Mangkunegaran. The event, held from May 1 to May 3, 2026, features over 80 vendors offering both authentic royal dishes and legendary local delicacies. A highlight of the opening ceremony included the traditional distribution of ten varieties of apem cakes to the public, symbolizing the sharing of blessings.
The festival is free to the public and has garnered significant attention for its magical, Harry Potter-inspired aesthetic, which has become a viral sensation on social media. Supported by partners like Bank Permata, the event aims to preserve cultural heritage while boosting local micro, small, and medium enterprises. Organizers hope the celebration fosters a strong sense of community and provides a platform for both traditional and modern culinary innovation.