BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
A two-day symposium on panpipe traditions will be held as part of the 2026 National Panpipe Festival, said Director of Culture and Tourism, Dennis Marita.
Speaking during a conference on Monday, Marita said the symposium will bring together academics, cultural practitioners and researchers to discuss the history, preservation and future of one of the country’s most significant cultural expressions.
He said that the Symposium is a joint initiative between the Cultural Division and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
He adds that the symposium will be held at the National Art Gallery on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, from 9:30 am to 12 noon each day.
Marita said the event is designed to encourage discussion and knowledge-sharing on panpipe traditions through presentations, panel discussions and audience participation.
“It is not only for academics but also for practitioners. We are bringing in the actual people who continue to practise panpipe traditions because it is a living culture,” he said.
Marita said that the topics on the first day will include the origins, history and cultural significance of panpipe traditions, as well as discussions on defining what establishes true panpipe music and its place within Solomon Islands’ traditional knowledge and music.
“The second day will focus on the protection of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, including intellectual property issues, research and digital preservation of panpipe music, and the role of panpipe traditions in tourism,” he said.
Marita said the sessions will provide participants with a deeper understanding of panpipe traditions while also supporting academic research and student projects.
He said that a panpipe exhibition will also be staged at the National Art Gallery throughout the festival, alongside the symposium
“The exhibition will feature paintings and visual artworks inspired by panpipe music, traditional dance and other cultural themes, as well as historical audio-visual recordings sourced from the National Museum and National Archives,” he said.
Marita said the exhibition and symposium complement the festival’s performance programme, giving visitors opportunities to experience panpipe traditions through performances, education and cultural displays.
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