FIJI TO HOST 2026 MELANESIAN ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL

Port Vila, VANUATU -- During the closing ceremony of the Melanesian Arts & Culture Festival 2023 (7MACFEST) held in Port Vila on Sunday, July 30th, Director for Heritage, Collin Sowani Yabaki, speaking on behalf of the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture and Heritage Hon. Ifereimi Vasu and the Fiji Contingent, expressed his excitement about Fiji being chosen as the host country for the 2026 Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival.

 

He stated that Fiji is honored to be selected as the host of this significant event for the Melanesian community in 2026 and emphasized that Fiji intends to highlight its abundant cultural diversity and history, following the example set by Vanuatu this year.

 

Director Yabaki stressed the importance of regionalism and cooperation in Melanesia, as showcased by this year's theme of "Rebuilding My Melanesian for Common Identity."

 

“The importance of regionalism and cooperation within Melanesia cannot be overstated. It is crucial for economic development, security, cultural preservation, and social integration,” the Director said.

 

“Indeed, passing on customs and traditional culture to the younger generation is of paramount importance. Culture serves as the foundation of a society's identity, shaping its values, beliefs, and practices,” said the Director.

 

"Nonetheless, the 2026 MACFEST will include various events such as the Melanesian Arts and Festival Symposium, Melanesian Music Festival, and the Melanesian Pageant," he added. 

 

Director Yabaki expressed confidence in Fiji's ability to match and sustain the high standards set by Vanuatu.

 

"We are grateful to the people of Vanuatu for their hospitality, love, and generosity during this year's festival," adds Director Yabaki.

He concluded by saying that Fiji looks forward to welcoming the Melanesian family to Fiji in 2026 and creating unforgettable memories together.

 

The Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) is a series of events held in various Melanesian countries to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of the region.

 

The festival has a unique theme for each edition, which mirrors the Melanesian people's values, dreams, and challenges.

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Namba 7 MACFEST hem open long Vanuatu

Namba 7 Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival em ibin open long Port Vila, capital city blong Vanuatu tede folem wan kastom seremoni wetem ol traditional owners blong Port Vila.

Ol Melanesian grups wea tek part long hem nao hem Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, ol Torres Strait aelan pipol blong Australia mo West Papua.

Namba 7 Macfest ia bambae hem end long namba 31 blong manis ia wetem bigfala celebresen long Vanuatu blong makim namba 23 independence anniversary blong kantri long namba 30 July.

Long moning tede, ol lida blong ol participating groups ibin go across long smol aelan blong Ifira blong attendim wan kastom seremoni blong tekem permission mo som respek long ol traditional owna blong Port Vila.

Hem ia sam long ol toktok blong Paramount Chief blong Ifira Mantoi Kalsakau long seremoni ia.

Long toktok blong hem long seremoni ia, Director General blong Melanesian Spearhead Group, Leonard Louma i hemi se tankyu long Chief Kalsakau blong givim permission long ol Macfest participants.

(Content by Hilaire Bule)

Broadcast 19 Jul 2023

Custom Ceremony Honours Melanesian Unity at 7th Arts Festival

A custom ceremony was held at the Saralana compound yesterday by the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and the chiefs from each island, expressing gratitude to the Melanesian countries for their presence at the 7th Melanesian Arts Festival in Vanuatu. The ceremony served as a welcoming gesture and appreciation for the efforts made by each Pacific country to attend the festival.

Chief Willy Grey Plasua, President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, expressed his happiness in hosting the 7th Melanesian Arts Festival in Port Vila, despite the significant challenges faced throughout the year. “We are happy to join together in this Arts Festival, we are one, even though we are divided by land but we are one ‘solwora’ (ocean) because our customs are unique, they are our lives,” he said.

A representative from the Port Vila Council of Chiefs explained the significance of the ceremony, saying that it symbolises the tradition of high chiefs exchanging gifts when they visit a new place to meet another high chief.

The adoption of brothers and sisters from each Melanesian country by the provinces of Vanuatu was highlighted. For instance, TORBA Province has adopted Papua New Guinea, PENAMA Province has adopted Solomon Islands, MALAMPA Province has adopted the Republic of Fiji, SHEFA Province has adopted West Papua, SANMA Province has adopted the Torres Strait, and TAFEA Province has maintained its adoption and brotherhood with the Kanaks of New Caledonia.

During the ceremony, chiefs representing each province invited the chiefs and leaders from the brother countries to come forward and receive gifts as a part of the welcome, signifying the provinces’ commitment to looking after their people within Vanuatu.

Welkam blong ol Macfest participants long Port Vila

Ol participants blong namba 7 Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival oli stat kasem finis long Port Vila blong attendim festval ia we bae stat long Wednesday namba 19 go kasem namba 31 blong manis ia.

Chairman blong MACFEST organising committee, Richard Shing hem se ol participants blong Fiji oli kasem Vila finis long wiken, mo hem stap long Bauerfield International Airport long moning tede blong welkamim ol particioants blong New Caledonia.

Hem talem Niusman Hilaire Bule se long aftanum bae ol participants blong Solomon Islands mo Torres aelan long Australia bae kasem Vila, mo ol blong PNG bae kasem later long wik.

Long audio, bae yu harem storian blong niusman Hilaire wetem Richard Shing.

Broadcast 17 Jul 2023