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Flame Tree fest set
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Posted on Feb 04 1999
As the island’s Flame Trees begin to bloom in April, the Commonwealth Arts Council will hold the 18th Flame Tree Festival in April by inviting local and foreign artists to join the three-day celebration.
Robert Hunter, executive director of the Arts Council, said artists from the Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Nauru, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Guam have been invited to showcase their work and exchange information with the local artists.
Last year, a delegation from Palau’s Aging Center arrived to join last year’s festival which saw the attendance of some 80 artists and over 300 performers, said Hunter.
“Every year, we try to improve our program by coming up with a new concept despite the limited budget,” he added. This year, the Arts Council is seeking the sponsorship of various hotels to at least provide free lodging for the foreign artists who will pay for their own air fare just to join the celebration.
An annual event in the commonwealth, the festival usually attracts families to gather the whole day at the American Memorial Park where they can watch performers and buy selected art works.
Next year, the Arts Council is hoping that the Japanese tour companies on the island would help them promote the Flame Tree Festival to attract more foreign visitors. The Japanese tour operators wanted to make sure that the festival date will not change so that they can include the celebration in their brochures.
“We are not just here to promote the resident artists, provide cultural exchange but also make it a major event that will draw many foreign guests to come here,” said Hunter. In the future, he said the Arts Council plan to bring in more artists from nearby Asian countries.
The Arts Council will feature traditional games as an added attraction such as tug-of-war, coconut husking and spear fishing, said Cindy Macaranas, events coordinator.
She said the Council is now soliciting donations from companies and individuals to ensure the festival’s success. Registration for artists and participants will begin on February 8 until March 12.
