Photo: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard (middle) with his contingent arriving at Jackson’s International Airport after the 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) in Port Vila, Vanuatu. – PICTURE by DALCY LULUA
By DALCY LULUA
MINISTER for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard has acknowledged the sponsors and participants of the 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST).
He said it was through them that made it possible for the country’s representatives to attend the 7th MACFEST in Port Villa, Vanuatu.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Marape-Rosso Government and all the other institutions that helped us to participate in the 7th MACFEST.”
“There are lot of other stakeholders involved and I thanked the Minister for State Enterprise Hon. William Duma for engaging the Kumul Consolidate Holdings to meet the cost of return tickets from Port Villa to PNG.
“I also thank the Chief Executive Officer of Air Niugini Mr Gary Seddon who was very instrumental in airlifting the participants to and from Port Moresby to Port Villa.”
The Minister further extended his appreciation to the National Cultural Commission (NCC) for organizing the festival, including those individuals who took part and represent PNG cultures in their performances.
“We had representatives from Bougainville, East and West New Britain, Hela, as well as students from the Factuality of Creative Arts in the University of Papua New Guinea, who were engaged to bring in picture of culture embodied in one performance.
“However, we had one array of different cultures in the country and I would like to thank them (students) for their participation.”
He said those that participated brought in the true spirit of Melanesia in the songs, chants, dances.
“PNG embodied the true spirit of Melanesia and I’d like to thank the people of PNG for giving us the support and indeed we reflected what we have here.”
The Minister said: “Though we went in late for the festival, we brought in our numbers and performances, which gave substance of Melanesia in those respective performances.”
The MACFEST is more than just a cultural event; it is a celebration of the diversity, richness, and vibrancy of Melanesian traditions and customs.
The festival offers an opportunity for Melanesian Spearhead Group member states and their Pacific allies to showcase and celebrate their unique cultural identities.
Meanwhile, the 8th MACFEST will be hosted by Fiji in 2026.
