NCC to launch Melanesian arts festival in city

 By SONIA KENU

THE National Cultural Commission will launch the fifth Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture in Port Moresby tomorrow.

The commission said in a statement the launching of the programme would include the unveiling of the festival logo.  

The theme is “Celebrating cultural diversity”.

It will be held tomorrow from 6pm to 10pm at the Holiday Inn.  

Executive director Dr Jacob Simet said Papua New Guinea was the host country for the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture to be held next year from June 28 to July 11. 

“Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is expected to unveil the festival logo and officially launch the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture. 

“Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Boka Kondra and Minister for Sports and National Events Justin Tkatchenko are also expected to address the event.  

“The Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture is the biggest cultural gathering of Melanesian countries and is hosted every four years,” Simet said. 

“The festival will include the participation of the five member states of the Melanesian Spearhead Group – Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. 

“The importance of cultural diversity will be highlighted by the festival in bringing together Melanesian traditional and contemporary artistes to share their dancing, music, fine arts, literary arts, culinary arts, fashion design and traditional games and textiles.”