Festival of Pacific Arts, day 1
Hello from Honiara, Solomon Islands! I arrived here on Sunday afternoon for the beginning of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts. The Festival is a major celebration of Pacific arts and cultures. The first Festival happened in 1972, and it has taken place every four years since, each time in a different location in the Pacific. This time, Festival planners estimate about 3,000 visitors, and delegates from 22 Pacific nations: from Taiwan to Rapa Nui (geographically, west-east), or American Samoa to Vanuatu (alphabetically).
It's been called "the Olympics of Pacific Arts," and last night at the opening ceremonies, it certainly felt like that: sitting in Lawson Tama Stadium, surrounded by thousands of spectators, watching delegates from the 22 Pacific nations entering the stadium. Each delegation presented gifts to the host nation, and paraded by the grandstand, showing off music and dance from their home country. It was amazing to see so much excitement, enthusiasm, and pride in the distinctive cultural traditions of the whole Pacific region.
One amusing moment occurred late in the evening, when the lights went out in the stadium. The first response was fairly predictable. Everyone got out their mobile phones and turned on the lights:
But what happened next is, I would think, rather specific to the Festival. But when you're at such an event, why not expect a couple of fire-dancers from American Samoa to light up the evening with an impromptu performance:
After an amazing final stadium show performance by the Solomon Islanders (masses of choreographed dancers, light show, fireworks), the opening ceremonies concluded with a beautiful fireworks display (a nice treat for a displaced American near July 4th).
Day two begins the unbelievable variety of performances and demonstrations at venues throughout Honiara. I look forward to celebrating Pacific traditions, along with the thousands of other people in town for this event. I'll plan to continue updating here daily.
It's been called "the Olympics of Pacific Arts," and last night at the opening ceremonies, it certainly felt like that: sitting in Lawson Tama Stadium, surrounded by thousands of spectators, watching delegates from the 22 Pacific nations entering the stadium. Each delegation presented gifts to the host nation, and paraded by the grandstand, showing off music and dance from their home country. It was amazing to see so much excitement, enthusiasm, and pride in the distinctive cultural traditions of the whole Pacific region.
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| The Papua New Guinea delegation enters the stadium |
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| Welcomed by a PNG crowd-flag |
One amusing moment occurred late in the evening, when the lights went out in the stadium. The first response was fairly predictable. Everyone got out their mobile phones and turned on the lights:
But what happened next is, I would think, rather specific to the Festival. But when you're at such an event, why not expect a couple of fire-dancers from American Samoa to light up the evening with an impromptu performance:
After an amazing final stadium show performance by the Solomon Islanders (masses of choreographed dancers, light show, fireworks), the opening ceremonies concluded with a beautiful fireworks display (a nice treat for a displaced American near July 4th).
Day two begins the unbelievable variety of performances and demonstrations at venues throughout Honiara. I look forward to celebrating Pacific traditions, along with the thousands of other people in town for this event. I'll plan to continue updating here daily.
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