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CCAC sees highest number of artist participation at FTAF
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- Woodwork was popular during the festival. (Erwin Encinares)
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- Artists exhibits several sketches and paintings. (Erwin Encinares)
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- Island medicine concoctions were also available. (Erwin Encinares)
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- Several island crafts were on sale. (Erwin Encinares)
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- Cultural dancers prepare for their performance backstage. (Erwin Encinares)
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- Food was one of the many highlights if the festival. (Erwin Encinares)
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- A taekwondo exhibition at the Flame Tree Arts Festival. (Erwin Encinares)
Most Commonwealth artists participated in this year’s edition of one of the longest-running festivals in the Micronesia, the Flame Tree Arts Festival, over the weekend, according to the Commonwealth Council of Arts and Culture
CCAC executive director Parker Yobei noted that this year’s 38th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival at the Civic Center Park in Susupe had the highest number of artists participating that he has ever seen.
“I don’t know if it’s the fee that we waived…or if they are getting active and getting back into their art,” he said. “I hope that they come back and continue [their art production], not only for the Flame Tree festivals but for our other events within the year with our schools and the community,” he said.
In all, Yobei recalls about 65 to 70 artists participating in this year’s festival.
“Some came in late, a couple pulled out, but somebody took their place,” he said. “Every slot this year was filled.”
Some of those who pulled out did not have enough pieces to exhibit in the festival. “Hopefully we’ll get everyone to join the festival next year,” Yobei said.
This year’s festival was dedicated to eight artists who have passed away since last year’s Flame Tree Arts Festival.
“We are definitely going to miss their presence and their talent. I’ve known some of them and…worked with some of them,” Yobei said. One of those who recently passed away worked with Yobei on several projects. “It’s more of a personal thing for me, not just from an artist’s [perspective],” he said.
The festival ran from April 11 to April 14, 2019, and concurrently ran with the the first-ever MyMarianas Paradise Festival, which featured several performers from off-island, including South Korean boy band Ulala Session, who won the 2011 Superstar K3 Talent Show; solo singer Huh Gak, who won the Superstar K2 Talent Show; solo singer Yi Xin Wang, who won the QQ Singer Competition in China; and America’s Got Talent Season 8 winner Kenichi Ebina.
