Solomon Islands bamboo flutes and shell crafts were among the main highlights of the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture in Papua New Guinea in the recent two weeks.
The show ended on Friday and our local contingent has returned to the country over the weekend.
Reports said the Are’ Are and the Hageulu pan pipers always drew large crowds in all their performances during the festival while our unique shell necklaces and other ornaments were sold like hotcakes at the Solomon Islands stall at the main MSG village.
Artistic Director of the Solomon Islands delegation Mr Dennis Marita congratulated the panpipe groups and individual weavers for doing our country pride.
“Our shell products and panpipe music is one of unique strengths in Melanesia and we should be proud of this uniqueness and at the same time continue to promote and preserve them among our young people,” he said.
Mr Marita said the festival was an avenue to promote and share our unique arts and culture with other Melanesians and the rest of the world.
He said it is encouraging now that the Government has in place a National Culture Policy which will drive the promotion and preservation of the arts and cultures of Solomon Islands.
“Some of our unique arts and cultures are at risk of dying out and it is important that the Government put priority in these areas if we want to promote Solomon Islands as a diverse and culturally rich country,” he said.
The festival successfully ended on Friday after two weeks of cultural exchange and promotion throughout Papua New Guinea by Melanesians from PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, West Papua and East Timor.
