Previous Story
Olopai signs more than a hundred of his new book
|
Posted on Dec 12 2005
Clad in traditional Carolinian attire, Lino Olopai put his John Hancock on more than a hundred copies of his new book, Rope of Tradition: Reflections of a Saipan Carolinian, during its formal launch last Saturday at the Chamolinian Cultural Village.
Family and friends were on hand to support the 65-year-old local author who said the inspiration for his new book came from the realization that culture is constantly changing.
“Cultural heritage changes. That drove me to do something and I wrote this book,” he said. He added that he was “scared” initially when the islands chose to be part of the United States and it made him worry about the future of the Carolinian culture.
Olopai’s mentor, Melody Actouka, said Olopai has been very instrumental in preserving the Carolinian culture in the CNMI. She said his works have been invaluable to his people, especially for the Carolinian youth.
Actouka said Olopai as a Carolinian has been a source of inspiration to several stage and cultural productions about the Carolinian people throughout Australia and the Pacific.
Longtime NMI resident Ron Smith was one of those who queued for Olopai’s signature. He said what Olopai had written in the book is such a fascinating story. “Anybody who is interested in the Carolinian culture should read this book,” he added.
Olopai’s book will also be featured in a weekly program at KMCV Channel 7 “Tisoron Tano.” Blue Bay Production Co. president Al J. Cabael said Olopai would be given a five-minute segment on the show on Christmas Eve, Saturday, from 8pm to 9pm.
Several dozen also took time to visit the Chamolinian Cultural Village last Saturday to get themselves copies of the new book. The NMI Council for the Humanities, which spearheaded the book project, organized the book signing. Over 1,000 copies of Rope of Tradition were printed in paperback.
