Caption: Delegates
getting a feel of the famous Bougainville bamboo band instruments.
Caption: Festival fever- there New Caledonian weavers were
admiring this reporters basket from the New Ireland provinces as they were in
awe of the intricate design at the Vision City Mall last week (picture by
Matthew Vari).
By MATTHEW VARI
WITH the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture
officially underway since yesterday- the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
delegation that arrived earlier in the week, hailed the festival as a pinnacle
event in bringing Melanesia together.
At a cocktail reception hosted at the Grand Papua Hotel in
Port Moresby- ministerial delegates from New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Fiji,
and PNG’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Boka Kondra called for unity as one
in the diversity in the region.
Chair of the Ministers of Culture and Arts Council of the
MSG, Yvon Faua, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) Political
Bureau of New Caledonia, said that he was proud to be a part of the festival
adding that even through they were citizens of France they were also
Melanesian.
“We are confident of the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts,
which is the last turn, as far as host members are concerned, and it is only
fitting that the big brother (PNG) host this important event,” Faua said.
“We are impressed with the people of the country and the way
of life here, which I think is a good model for Melanesia and everyone in New
Caledonia especially.”
“This festival is a true testament that we are one people.”
Director General of the MSG Peter Forau gave special thanks
to the national government for its strong support in hosting the event.
“I would like to thank the government and people of this
country for your efforts and hospitality,” Forau said.
“It is not only the big things you do but the little once
that matter the most, and your hospitality is the one that makes a difference.”
In welcoming his fellow delegates, Minister Kondra said that
the country was ready to deliver one of the best festivals to date.
“We are ready to deliver on time a festival that is much
bigger than in the past,” he said.
“It is a vehicle to unite us to keep our cultures alive- and
I assure you it will be a trouble free event.”
He added that with the diverse culture already in the
country- he was confident the visitors would enjoy each and every moment of the
two week meet.
“I appeal to all members of the public in Port Moresby to
come along and let us all eat, play, and dream culture in a festival that is
for us all.”
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