Melanesian Arts Festival launched

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 17th May 2013

 By SONIA KENU

THE 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture is expected to have guest performers from West Papua, Timor Leste and the Torres Strait Islands of Australia to join the Melanesian countries. 

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Boka Kondra said this at the launching of the festival in Port Moresby on Wednesday night. 

The festival will be held next year from June 28 to July 11 with participation of the five member states of the Melanesian Spearhead Group: Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. 

“If we’re equipped with resources, we would want all 22 provinces to participate in the festival. We have written to the governors to advise them on this because we would need their support,” Kondra said.

“The last time PNG showcased its cultures to the rest of the world was in 1980 when it hosted the Festival of Pacific Arts.

“While the Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture is a sub-regional affair, it provides us with the chance to show the world our rich cultures.”  

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who attended the launch, said: “I thank the cabinet ministers for showing their support in cutting their respective budget allocations to cater for the festival.”

“I urge organisers to manage the event wisely on a cost run so that our people, including our neighbours, will enjoy the performances as we all strive to preserve our culture and heritage.”