Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has questioned the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) over its plans to convert the Festival of Pacific Arts Village into a cultural venue for custom events in the future.
He raised the question in his speech during the graduation ceremony of SINU at the Maranatha Hall, Friday.
“My simple question out of ignorance is whether the university has any plans or intentions of keeping the memory of that particular place to possibly repair it and convert it into some kind of cultural venue or space which could be used for different kastom functions and events,” Sogavare said.
He said that it is sad to see the current state of the venue, a place where the official opening of the National University itself was commemorated.
“In fact it was the venue of the official opening of the National University itself, and how magnificent and appropriate it was
“The current state of the place, to put it mildly, is both sad and nostalgic,” the prime minister added.
Sogavare said he believed it is the place of custom or Solomon Islands Cultures.
“How it can be accommodated and embedded into the intellectual life of our premier education institution, theoretically and in practice, is both the real question and challenge for us today.”
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
