THE government is looking forward to host the 6th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival next year.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo in his address to open the 6th Council of Arts and Culture meeting this week said his office is gearing up for the festival.
“I am sure the Solomon Islands preparation will be communicated to this important meeting within the next two days and we seek your support towards our plans,” MrParapolo said.
“For that, I also look forward to hosting my colleagues from the MSG countries and also from the MSG Secretariat,” he added.
MrParapolo states that Solomon Islands continues to stand proud as one of the defining members of the MSG and with that, the government will continuously support and play their role in the MSG agenda.
“As we all know, the common Melanesian culture is one of the pillars that the MSG is founded on.
“The common Arts, Culture and Heritage that we share and value form an important platform for our cooperation and interaction, which will continue to strengthen our social and economic linkages between our countries and people,” MrParapolo remarked.
He then acknowledged the Director of Culture Division and his team for all the efforts that they have put into making sure that this meeting is hosted by the Solomon Islands.
The two days meeting (23rd and 24th) by members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Council of Arts and Culture Meeting (CACM) at Heritage Park Hotel discussing progress of the preparations of the 6th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival ends successfully yesterday.
The 5th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival was hosted by PNG in 2014.
It is expected that outlying Melanesian islands from the Torres Straight Islands in Australia, West Papua in Indonesia and East Timor will be invited for the festival.
By TEDDY KAFO