Government through the ministry of culture and tourism (MCT) will send ten local artists to participate at the 5th Melanesian festival of arts and culture that will be held in Papua New Guinea next month.
The festival will be held over two-week from 28th June – 11th July.
Port Moresby will stage the major event near the National Museum and Art Gallery, while Kokopo, Alotau, Wewak and Mt. Hagen will show performances as part of the festival.
A spokesperson from culture division told the Solomon Star yesterday said 10 artists have been identified to attend the festival in PNG next month.
‘These artist comprises of weavers, carvers, shell money makers and artist who will be there representing Solomon Islands.
“These 10 participants have been selected by a committee in the culture division,” the spokesperson said.
He said culture division are liaising with these participants to prepare ahead for the festival.
“This event will feature all Melanesian countries showcasing their cultures.”
The festival is hosted every four years by selected member countries of the Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG).
The MSG is made up of the following Melanesian States: New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
For this 2014 festival, Papua New Guinea has extended invitations to Melanesian communities from the Torres Strait Islands, West Papua and Timor-Leste.
The theme of the festival is ‘Celebrating Cultural Diversity’, which highlights not only the diversity of the Melanesian cultural heritage but also that of the nation of Papua New Guinea – the largest and most diverse of all Melanesian States.
First hosted by the Solomon Islands in 1998, the Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture gradually developed into an important event for preserving, protecting and promoting Melanesian Cultures.
The National Cultural Commission through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of PNG government will be coordinating the event.
By DENVER NEWTER
