Palau officials to grace Flame Tree festival
State officials from the Republic of Palau are set to attend the 19th annual Flame Tree Arts Festival which will begin on Friday, adding to the long line of distinguished guests expected to grace the yearly event.
Three Palauan governors, Tadashi Sakuma of the Ngaraard state, John B. Skebong of the Ngaremlengui state, and Jackson Ngiraingas of the Peleliu state.
Ted Aitaro, the Cultural and Traditional Matters Special assistant to the president, will head the delegation.
The officials are expected to arrive on Saipan early Thursday morning.
Also among the delegates are Presidential Chief of Staff Temmy L. Shmull, Palau Visitors Authority Chairman Johnny P. Kishigawa, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Special Assistant Augurio Joseph, Special Assistant to the President Vincent L. Remeliik, Ministry of State Staff Assistant Hank Derbai, PVA Public Relations Manager Joe Aitaro, and PVA Staff Celine Oiterong.
Miss Palau Charlene Kaud Omelau will also join the rest of the delegates in the three-day festival at the American Memorial Park.
The group will also occupy a booth featuring Palauan goods and crafts during the festival weekend, according to the CNMI Council for the Arts and Culture Executive Director Rob Hunter.
The annual event will showcase 100 booths displaying a wide array of handicrafts from different ethnic groups.
Meanwhile, the Arts Council will also hold a preliminary art exhibit at the Diamond Hotel on Thursday, presenting works of famous Chamorro master weaver Phillip Sablan.
Mr. Sablan whose works will be displayed at the hotel, will also occupy a booth at the festival. This is not the first time that this coconut leaf weaving artist will participate in this traditional event.
“When I joined last year, I met so many wonderful people that it became so important to me that I come back,” Mr. Sablan said.
The largest and most anticipated annual arts event in the CNMI promises more fun-filled activities this year with over 20,000 projected guests and participants from all over Asia and Micronesia.
The festival will also present performers from Guam, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, China, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. (MM)
