FESTPAC registration is extended to Oct. 30

The Northern Mariana Islands Festival of Pacific Arts Organizing Committee has extended the registration period for CNMI artisans interested in participating in the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam in May 2016.

The FESTPAC Organizing Committee is asking local artisan groups and individuals interested in representing the CNMI in any of the festival categories to submit a registration form with the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture by 4pm, on Oct. 30, 2015. Interested groups and individuals may download a registration form from the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture website (www.dcca.gov.mp) or from the Marianas Visitors Authority Calendar of Events website (www.mymarianas.com).

The 12th Festival of Pacific Arts will be held on May 22 to June 4, 2016, in Guam.

The Northern Marianas has received approval from Guam to increase its number of delegates to 250.

“Our organizing team is excited that we are progressing in our planning despite the delegates to showcase our uniquely rich traditional cultural heritage to respectably represent our cultural homeland with honor and dignity,” said FESTPAC Organizing Committee chair John DLR. “Bolis” Gonzales. 

The selection of participants will be made by the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture based on a set of criteria. Upon selection, delegates will be asked to pay a $50 non-refundable deposit to secure their registration and will receive an official letter of selection as an endorsement for fundraising purposes. A mandatory meeting will be held for all delegates in November 2015.

Festival categories are:

• Performing arts: Traditional dance, drama/theatre, oral chants, oratory and storytelling, music, Jamz House.
• Literary Arts: Traditional storytelling/oratory, publications (Pacific Island stories and novels, Pacific biographies and journals), history, theater, fashion, indigenous language.
• Demonstrations/exhibition: Visual arts, floral arts, culinary arts, canoe and navigation, children’s art show, photography, tattooing, traditional healing, body ornamentation, carving works, handicrafts, film festival, traditional games
• Demonstration/Exhibition: Fire walking, weaving, fishing and hunting traditions.
• Forums, workshops, seminars

Inquiries may be directed to Feofaaki McMahon at the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture at fe_mcmahon@yahoo.com or (670) 322-9982/3. (PR)