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International Festival of Cultures set for September
The International Festival of Cultures is set for September featuring various cultures representing the CNMI, according to Marianas Visitors Authority community projects specialist Ryan Calvo.
The launching of MVA’s newest annual event will take place at the Paseo de Marianas on September and will start at 5pm. Dates for the festival are Sept. 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4—all Saturdays and similar to Taste of the Marianas.
Cultures to be showcased by groups include Chamorro, Carolinian, Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Tahitian, Marquese, Cook Islander, Hawaiian, New Zealander, Kosraean, Chuukese, Palauan; Marshallese, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
“We are not accepting participants anymore. Hopefully we will get more groups to join next year,” Calvo said.
Calvo said that 13 tents will be set up and each group will showcase and demonstrate their own cultures on all four Saturdays.
Tokens won’t be used unlike the Taste of the Marianas, as transactions will be between the groups, customers, and patrons.
Calvo also said that there won’t be competitions but he didn’t hold out having some form of contests next year. The stage will be set for cultural performances a few days before opening.
In an earlier statement to Saipan Tribune, MVA managing director Perry Tenorio said that one of the beauties of CNMI is its rich ethnic diversity and the ability to showcase a multi-cultural festival to visitors.
“In general, fewer people travel to the CNMI during the month of September, so we anticipate this new signature event will also help stimulate travel during the month, as the Taste of the Marianas does in May,” Tenorio said.
