BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
DAY-TWO of the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFest) has seen stunning cultural performances from participating countries.
The main stage event was held at the Melanesian village lakeside where Melanesian countries shared cultural identities through dancing, singing, art and dressing.
There was also performances held at the Art Gallery and the National Auditorium.
Meanwhile on Monday saw an array of other activities including visual arts, traditional and contemporary arts, literary arts and performing arts and workshop.
A favourite of the public are the Fijian cultural performers, who have stolen hearts by their electrifying presentations of their traditional dances.
The Chair for MACFest and Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Andrew Nihopara said the event reflects true spirit for sharing unity which will connect Melanesians ever more strongly.
He said this festival as well as previous ones provide an avenue for reconnecting, reviving and renewing of commitments to our people and culture.
The MACFest was conceived in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
The festival takes place every four years with a goal to promote traditional and contemporary arts from the whole of Melanesia.
This year’s event convenes about 2000 artists and performers from PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.
In 2014, the festival welcomed diaspora Melanesian communities in the provinces of Indonesia, Timor Leste and the Torres Strait Islands of Australia.
This year, Solomon Islands again is restarting the festival cycle throughout the MSG countries under the theme: Past Recollection, Future Connections.
