BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
COUNTRY’S 40th Independence Day will be celebrated on July 6 at the Lawson Tama stadium coinciding with the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFest).
The national independence committee revealed that the 40th Independence Day will be a bigger celebration than previous ones because it coincides with the MACFest.
Solomon Islands usually celebrates its big day on July 7 but has this year been moved to July 6.
The reason is July 7 falls on Saturday, thus Ministry of Home Affairs and its committee have declared a public holiday on Friday July 6 for the nation to celebrate the 40th anniversary.
Activities prepared include parading, cultural groups’ performance with a special segment set for sick patients at the National Referral Hospital.
Chairman for Lawson Tama Committee, Mr Charles Maclean said the Independence Day celebration will be held at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
One thing special about the event as well, Mr Maclean said, on July 6 straight after celebrations at Lawson Tama, there is a special segment of 10 string bands representing nine provinces including Honiara arranged for sick patients at NRH.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs Mr George Palua said this year’s Independence Day is unique as it will involve Pacific Island countries attending the MACFest.
He said the event will not be celebrated as trade show, because Ministry of Commerce haven’t approach the committee, but there is one proposed for September this year under the Pacific Islands Development Forum.
George Herming, Director of the Government Communications Unit, said the independence celebration is organised in a way that falls with the MACFest from July 1—10 which the Independence Day falls between.
He said during this period, a set of programmes has been arranged including cultural activities, music, sports programme happen outside our villages and then the MACFest will roll out for 10 days.
Under MACFest programme there’s a minor programme of trade show where the Ministry of Commerce is responsible and it will happen during the 10 days.
