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MEMBERS of Guam’s delegation to the Festival of the Pacific Arts in the Solomon Islands have been welcomed warmly by the local people.
“It’s absolutely incredible. The people of the Solomon Islands are very friendly and are very accommodating. The delegation is happy, they’re excited, and they’re happy to do what they came down here for,” said Monica Guzman, 2012 FestPac Guam delegation spokesperson.
There are close to 30 Pacific nations at the festival. The theme is “Culture in Harmony” which according to the festival’s website highlights the uniqueness of every Pacific island nation.
Guam’s group has already performed before audiences. On Tuesday, the literary arts group headed by Peter Onedera was on stage for the film festival, storytelling theater and fashion pageant. Pa’a Taotao Tano and I Finlalai'an also performed.
The culinary team is also doing demonstrations at the Guam hut in the International Village.
During the opening of the festival, Guzman said the Guam crafters and weavers doing a demonstration at the Guam hut drew a huge crowd.
“It was sometimes 10 deep,” she said.
Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio is expected to attend the festival just before it ends to accept the next hosting of FestPac on behalf of Guam, which is hosting the 2016 Festival of the Pacific Arts.
The location of the 2016 event is still being discussed, but the University of Guam and Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Beach Park are possible sites.
FestPac started back in 1972 and since then, delegations from the Pacific island nations and territories have gathered every four years to promote, share and exchange their cultures.
