Bloomless Flame Tree Arts Festival kicks off

Wood carver Michael K. Finey is among the number of local artists that are showcasing their works in the 35th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival at the Civic Center grounds in Susupe. (Jon Perez)

John Oliver Gonzales is saddened with the fact that flame trees are not in full bloom in time for the start of the Flame Tree Arts Festival. The festivities of the 35th edition of the annual event opened yesterday at the Civic Center in Susupe.

“It’s a bit sad that the flowers of the flame trees failed to bloom this time. Maybe, it is because of Typhoon Soudelor,” said Gonzales, the CNMI’s head of delegation to the 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts next month in Guam.

“But just like the trees, the CNMI people are resilient and strong. Our spirits are back up and things are getting back to normal.”

Gonzales added that even though the flame trees are not in full bloom, it should not prevent the community to celebrate its diversity especially the traditions of the Chamorro and Carolinian people.

“The Chamorro and Carolinian are two of the most diverse cultures in our community. We must embrace diversity and the other cultures, and be united as a community. Being united makes us strong, resilient from all the adversities that we will be facing,” said Gonzales.

For master carver Michael K. Finey, the festival, whether the flowers are in bloom or not, is also the time to showcase the arts and crafts of the local artists. “I sell my wood carvings here where local and foreign tourists buy them. It is a place for artists like me to show our work.”

This will be Finey’s 10th straight year of joining the festival. He is originally from Yap, where he learned the art of woodcarving from his father, but came to Saipan in 2003.

“I grew up seeing my father work on with his projects. For him it was a hobby, but seeing him patiently transform wood into works of art, that picture stuck on my mind. That’s why I also became a wood carver,” added Finey, who is also fresh from showcasing his works of art in an international exhibition in Nepal more than two weeks ago.

“I sold a lot of my work in Nepal and there are a couple more here at the Flame Tree Festival. That’s why right now, my inventory is almost sold out. I only have a few left and it is only the opening,” said Finey.

Aside from his woodcarvings, he also sells other items like woven baskets that were also made by other artists. “I just sell them and give all the money to them. I never charge them as a way of helping them get known.”