Rousing finale for arts, culture fete

 PEOPLE from around Port Moresby flocked into the Sir John Guise Stadium to watch a spectacular closing of the 5th Melanesian Festival of Art and Culture on Saturday night.

It was all laughter and fun as visiting groups from Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands awaited for other groups, the Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture, Boka Kondra, and the Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion to arrive.

There was a comedy performance by Watete and his friends, traditional group performances from provincial groups and a mixture of songs by Melanesian artists that had the crowd “moving” to the beat. 

Two weeks of Melanesian arts and culture concluded with a bang – the colourful fireworks that lit the Waigani skies and thrilled the children and young people – despite some hiccups in the organisation. 

A number of the visiting groups told The National that their experience was fun-filled, interesting and exciting. 

They were sad to live but at the same time happy to return to their country and their families.

Visiting delegations from Torres Strait and West Papua of Indonesia left before the closing where presentations were made.

The Fijian delegation left yesterday and others are scheduled to leave today and tomorrow.