[ad_1]
sponsor
The Pacific Festival of Arts and Culture (FestPAC 2024) has concluded in Honolulu, Hawaii. The 11-day celebration of arts and culture has left wonderful memories, but also brought about the great challenge of protecting Pacific arts and culture from erosion.
A Solomon Islands delegation attended the closing ceremony and, along with other Pacific Islanders, witnessed the handover of the festival flag to the next host nation, New Caledonia, in 2028.
The festival’s administrators from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) received the festival flag on behalf of New Caledonia.
A Solomon Islands delegation led by Director General of Culture, Dennis Marita, also attended the flag handover ceremony, with attendees cheering as Pacific nations were named, symbolising a united blue Pacific that is our home for generations.
The 10-day event is a celebration for Pacific Islanders to celebrate their unique arts and culture while building stronger connections and networks to further promote and preserve Pacific arts and culture among younger generations in their respective countries.
The Solomon Islands delegation was proud at the closing ceremony of FestPAC on Sunday.
Pacific leaders and elders attending the festival, including the closing ceremony, spoke highly of the hospitality of our host nation, Hawaii, but also expressed concern about the threat of foreign influences to our arts and culture.
This year’s theme, “Renewing Oceania”, calls on Pacific Islanders to remain vigilant and resolute against these modern threats and most importantly preserve and pass on our artistic talent and cultural heritage for future generations across the Pacific.
Leaders and Elders also called on Pacific governments and cultural practitioners not to ignore existing cultural threats and any future threats to Pacific arts and culture, and must step up efforts to support the arts and cultural industries in their respective countries.
Supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), leaders and elders participated in a lively and creative event aimed at strengthening artistic and cultural connections among Pacific Islanders.
FestPAC 2024 provides a great opportunity and platform for young artists and performers from the Solomon Islands to showcase their talent and artistry and most importantly promote Solomon Islands to the outside world during their 11-day visit to Hawaii.
Some members of the Solomon Islands delegation.
Our delegation’s participation had a strong impact, attracting thousands of festival attendees and exposing them to the Solomon Islands landscape and the country’s art and culture.
Dennis Marita, Head of the Solomon Islands Delegation and Director of Culture, expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Government and people of the Solomon Islands to the Governor and leaders of the State of Hawaii for hosting another successful festival that brought Pacific Islanders together over the past 11 days in Honolulu.
The Solomon Islands delegation will depart Hawaii on June 19 with fond memories of FestPAC 24 and are pleased to have represented the country and hope to continue to promote and preserve the country’s arts and culture for our future generations.
over///
– Government Communications Department
[ad_2]
Source link
