Flame Tree arts fest organizers are grateful for Coke donations

The Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture, which organized the 27th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival, has expressed gratitude to Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia) Inc. for making donations that contributed to the success of Micronesia’s biggest cultural event.

Cecilia Taitano-Celes, CCAC executive director, said that Coca-Cola gave 18 cases of soda, 40 cooler bags with six cans of Nestea soda in it, and five banners.

“We are very grateful for the gracious sponsorship and contribution of Coca-Cola. The beverages provided, as well as cooler bags and banners helped us defray many expenses in these issues. The drinks were contributed to the hardworking committee members who worked day and night and put in long hours to ensure a successful Flame Tree Arts Festival,” Celes said.

She said that Coca-Cola has been a consistent sponsor of the arts festival through the years.

“Coca-Cola has, for many years now, sponsored our festival. Coca-Cola has continued to generously provide us with their patronage and support. Are we looking forward to Coca-Cola’s sponsorship next year? Of course, and for many years to come,” Celes said.

Johnnie Fong, Coca-Cola Micronesia managing director, said that sponsoring community events like the Flame Tree Arts Festival is part of the company’s commitment to help support the celebration of the local culture.

“We have been providing donations to the Flame Tree Arts Festival over time. This speaks to our dedication toward the preservation of the local art and tradition, even as we celebrate cultural diversity in our community,” Fong said.

Celes said this year’s event was overwhelming. She said the turnout was “very, very successful.

“Our vendor booths were filled to the maximum. We were joined this year by 20 food vendors, 20 arts-in-education booths and demonstrators, 55 local artists, and the Saipan Farmers Sabalu market.

“In a nutshell, the festival was successful and was much bigger than last year’s,” Celes said.

The 27th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival was held from April 24 to 27 at the Kilili Beach Park in Susupe, and was planned around the theme, “Showcase our Inheritance,” which emphasized the importance and significance of each culture, tradition and way of life in the CNMI.

The event showcased arts and crafts, and local traditions such as canoe building, sea-salt making, coconut oil processing, mwar mwar making, hot pepper processing, sea shell jewelry, weaving through the use of pandanus and coconut leaves, and sand painting. Approximately 50 bands, individual performers, and cultural groups delivered fine performances to liven up the crowd throughout the festival.

The Flame Tree Arts Festival is Micronesia’s biggest and longest-running annual cultural event.

For more information about the local distribution of Coca-Cola, visit http://www.kospn.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]