Guam on track for Pacific Festival of Arts 2016
A delegation from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community was in Guam last week to check on the preparations for 12th edition of the Festival of Pacific Arts which will be held this time next year in the capital Hagatna.
Transcript
A delegation from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community was in Guam last week to check on the preparations for 12th edition of the Festival of Pacific Arts which will be held this time next year in the capital Hagatna.
The Chairperson of the Festival Programming Monica Guzman spoke with Koroi Hawkins about Guam's preparations beginning by explaining the theme for 2016.
MONICA GUZMAN: The theme for the twelfth festival is "Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta, Håfa Ta Påtte ~ Dinanña' Sunidu Siha Giya Pasifiku" - What we own, What we have, What we share - United voices of the Pacific.
KOROI HAWKINS: And just go into a little bit abut where that is coming from in terms of the tradition and culture of Guam.
MG: Well of course, you know Guam we have a 4,000 year history and for the past 400 years we have been colonised by the spanish and the Americans and we were also occupied by the Japanese during WWII. And the theme speaks to our struggle to hold on to our culture and in the last twenty years there has been a or thirty years there has been a resurgence a cultural renaissance of sorts. And so the theme speaks to that and trying to hold onto our culture. Trying to hold on to our language and when we greet our visitors next year we want to share with them what we own and what we have. Despite the colonisation of the last 400 years we are still struggling to maintain our language and maintain our culture.
KH: To the more technical details how are preparations on the ground going?
MG: Well Guam has attended all of the festivals since 1992 and so what we did immediately upon returning from the Solomons is we gathered together as many of our previous delegates. And we had many months of discussion on how we want to present for 2016. we developed or created a sub-committees in all of the different disciplines. We have been fortunate that we have a Governor Calvo, Governor Eddie Calvo who is one hundred and fifty percent supporting this effort. We have a very great corporate community that have come forward in providing sponsorships and cash and in kind contributions. So far we have just touched the surface as far as sponsorship. We estimated that the entire cost of the festival will be upwards of ten million dollars US and with the government's support we are probably about 75 percent in reaching that goal.
KH: And in terms of dates when is it happening and for anyone wanting to come to Guam how soon do they need to start making their plans or booking or. The dates are scheduled for May 22nd to June 4th of course the earlier a person makes arrangements, the better it is. We do have a website it is guam fest pac. guamfestpac2016.com If you want to go onto the website we do have a contact us page. You know the community of Guam is really looking forward to hosting the festival, this will be the first time that Guam will host it. And we invite everyone in the Pacific to come to Guam experience Guam and you know, lets all share together in what is called the Olympic of culture in the Pacific and we are looking forward to welcoming everybody in 2016.
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