BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The National Panpipe Festival (NAPTAN) 2026 is officially underway at the National Art Gallery grounds.
The festival was officially opened yesterday by Minister for Culture and Tourism (MCT) James Bonuga with the program set to run from July 1-5.
NAPTAN brings together cultural groups and panpipe master practitioners.
Yesterday’s opening marks an important milestone in our nation’s cultural journey as people gather to celebrate one of the most distinctive and treasured symbols of Solomon Islands identity – our panpipe music.
More than 20 panpipe masters and cultural groups travelled from provinces to participate in the festival.
In an interview, Chairman of the organising committee for National Panpipe Festival (NATPAN) 2026 and Director of Ministry of Culture and Tourism division (MCT) Dennis Marita said we need to come up with the unique feature.
He said a feature to build our own strengths in unique characteristic of our culture, pointing out that panpipe music is a catchy and unique cultural character of Solomon Islands.
Marita also said that if the event is held consistently, people will know how significant it is.
“This event has a long term-vision. We wish to take this festival to new heights in the coming years, to become a national festival, where we can invite panpipers from other countries to showcase its uniqueness,” he said.
Marita said the theme ‘Echoes of the past, Sounds of the Hapi Isles’ reminds us that every melody carries the voices of our ancestors and the stories of communities.
“Our responsibility is not only to admire these traditions but to protect them and pass them on to future generations. The honor we can give ancestors is to keep the legacy alive,” he said.
Marita highlighted that panpipe music is far more than entertainment.
“It is the cultural signature, across the pacific, whenever people hear the unique sound of the panpipe. The government will continue to place greater importance on preserving, protecting and promoting our rich cultural heritage,” he said.
Speaking in an interview, leader of Sirovanga panpipers group from north-west Choiseul, Gerardo Pitamama said our culture is our original identity.
He said he sees the importance of our culture, which started to vanish away because when missionaries came, they changed our culture.
“We are thankful for the government to bring it back to life and let us bring back the unique sounds of origins.
“Sirovanga panpipe boys are so happy to participate in the event,” he said.
Photo credit: Douglas Vahia
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