Thousands grace opening of 28th Flame Tree Arts Festival

Thousands of spectators graced the opening rites of the four-day 28th Annual Micronesian Flame Tree Arts Festival in Susupe Civic Center Thursday night.

With 55 traditional craft and visual artists from all over the Micronesia, 23 food vendors, seven live demonstrators for arts and education workshops, as well as the collaboration of seven groups and agencies occupying the festival’s information booths, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs was unabashed in declaring the opening a success.

The theme of this year’s Micronesian Flame Tree Arts Festival is “Uniting Rainbows of Traditions and Cultures.”

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial kicked off the traditional festivities Thursday with a soft opening at 10am that welcomed Yap Gov. Sebastian L. Anefal and the master navigators and canoe voyagers from the Republic of Palau and Satawal.

In her opening remarks, Arts Council executive director Ramona Rebuenog expressed satisfaction in seeing the “traditional success” of the festivities despite the changing economic climate.

She described the event as a congregation of fascinating customs and traditions, vital in the preservation of one’s individuality.

DCCA Secretary Cecilia T. Celes said it is the festival’s objective to bring the Micronesian region together and celebrate its rich cultures and history.

The department dedicated this year’s occasion to seven notable local artists from Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

Posthumous awards were handed to the family of local healer Monica Cruz Lizama, master sand painter Albert S. Toves Jr., educator and traditional art work demonstrator Juan Q. Kapileo, local coconut carver and artist Danny D. Babauta, local musician Francisco M. Pangelinan, wood carver Manuel L. Dela Cruz, and traditional dance demonstrator Hal Basilio O. Taitano.

Special acknowledgment through gift presentations were also provided to the event’s sponsors and the delegations from Guam, Palau, Yap, Rota, and Tinian.

DCCA also honored Capt. Camillo Erakmai, Capt. Sesario Sewralur, and Capt. Tobias Urupoa, along with their crew members. They are the master navigators of the visiting canoes that sailed all the way from Satawal and Palau to Saipan using traditional navigation methods.

Special performances were also provided to viewers by the Satawal dancers, Kulu Natibu/Inatuas Cultural dancers, Welippal Cultural Dancers, Guam’s Rasan Acho’ Latte Dancers, Gilita, and Nolas Kaliga performers.

Starting today, seven special demonstrations are expected to draw a large crowd, including the much-awaited sakau demonstration to be performed by Nick Benjamin. Sakau is a relaxing drink, a kava-like brew from Pohnpei. Its pepper plant root is pounded and mixed with water to form an earthy paste drink that is used for special ceremonies in Pohnpei.

Local artist Lusiano Saimon, meantime will demonstrate “Kkol”—a traditional food from the island of Chuuk.

For storyboard carving, artist Poland Yamada will provide a demonstration, while pandanas weaving will be performed by Flowerpot Salas. Arisa Sakai Peters will take care of the originami demonstration, while Philip B. Quitugua will take the lead in coconut candy. Coconut leaf weaving will be presented by Julie Seman.

DCCA has confirmed five participants in the float competition: Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Ladera International School of Saipan, and Eusebio Borja and family.