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MVA OKs $8,000 for Flame Tree fest
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Posted on Mar 01 1999
The Marianas Visitors Authority board has approved a grant amounting to $8,000 for the 18th Flame Tree Festival this coming April and has pledged continued support provided the next celebrations will be held in June.
This year’s three-day festival will be held in April to welcome the scheduled blooming of the flame trees on the island, said Robert Hunter, executive director of the Arts Council.
However, MVA board members believe that the festival which will showcase the culture of the Northern Marianas must be held in June at a time when the flame trees are in full bloom.
With an assurance of continued financial support from MVA, Hunter said the Arts Council will seriously consider transferring the festival in June. Earlier, the Arts Council did not want to schedule the festival in June because it would compete with Liberation Day organizers in terms of acquiring support from various sponsors.
An annual event in the commonwealth, the Flame Tree festival usually attracts families to gather the whole day at the American Memorial Park where they can view various art works that are on display and enjoy the cultural presentation.
Japanese tour organizations have pledged to support the festival as long as the date of the festival remains the same so that it does not create confusion in the promotion.
The Arts Council is planning to invite artists from the Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Nauru, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Guam to bring their artworks and participate in the exchange of information with local artists.
In 1998, representatives from Palau’s Aging Center arrived to join the festival which saw the participation of some 80 artists and over 300 performers.
Aside from showing the local artworks, music and dances, the festival will serve as a venue to demonstrate traditional games such as tug-of-war and spear fishing and coconut husking.
The Council is now soliciting donations from companies and individuals to ensure the festival’s success. Registration of artists and participants has begun and will end until March 12.
