Flame Tree Festival draws thousands

The Commonwealth Council of Arts and Culture staff and committee members pose at their informational booth at the 33rd Flame Tree Arts Festival. (Jayson Camacho)

The 33rd Annual Flame Tree Festival over the weekend drew thousands of community members and off-island guests in a celebration of the islands’ culture and traditions.
The festivities started Friday night and lasted through Sunday night, featuring varied entertainment, performances, 12 food vendors, and 60 booths displaying art and other cultural items.

This year’s celebration was dedicated to Cris Matagolai Kaipat, Vicente Salas Sablan, Herman Delos Reyes Kapileo, and Shawnda Dela Cruz Taisacan—all of whom played a significant role in ensuring that the CNMI’s cultural and artistic heritage is both strengthened and perpetuated.

The families of Kaipat, Sablan, Kapileo, and Taisacan received certificates of dedication during the opening ceremony on Saturday morning that was attended by delegations from Rota, Tinian, Guam, and Southern California as well as Flame Tree Festival sponsors and government officials.

In his remarks, Gov. Eloy S. Inos said that “for over three decades, despite many challenges thrown its way, this festival has been and continues to be the premiere avenue to promote, preserve, and perpetuate our cultures, and provide a forum to showcase the unique aspects of our identity as islanders.”

Inos also congratulated the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture, the festival’s committee, participants, sponsors, and organizers.

“Our arts, crafts, songs, and dances are fine gifts that have been handed down through generations to preserve our rich history and culture, and we are grateful for your work in keeping them alive and urge you to continue supporting this fine tradition in the years ahead,” Inos said.

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Laura T. Ogumoro, for her part, urged the public to “stay and experience the endless support and contributions of our sponsors and donors.”

“In helping to promote our traditions, arts, and culture, the community and sponsors continue to be a source of inspiration for us,” she added.

Parker Yobei, overall chair of the festival committee, expressed appreciation to the festival sponsors, volunteers, and the public for their “overwhelming support.”

“It feels really great seeing all the community, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone else involved in this year’s festival. It shows that we’re doing our part by uniting different cultures through art forms,” Yobei told Saipan Tribune.

Arts Council executive director Angel S. Hocog said the festival continues to grow into one of the largest annual events in the Micronesian region, showcasing unique cultures and the native delicacies of those who have taken residence in the Marianas.

“The festival has served to assist in the effort to promote the visual and performing arts and to preserve and perpetuate the traditional indigenous art forms…in the end its most significant quality is that it brings beauty to our daily lives,” Hocog said.

Saturday’s ceremony also recognized major festival sponsors, each one receiving a ukulele plaque as a token of appreciation. They are Delta Air Lines, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, IT&E, Marianas Visitors Authority, Bank of Guam, Matty’s Barbeque & Catering Store, Canton Restaurant, Mobil, Coca-Cola, Pacific Development Inc., CNMI Energy Division, and KKMP.

The festival throughout the weekend featured entertainment from the Umang Glee Club, Keynotes Music, Saipan Awaodori Team, Black Sands, Taekwondo Blue Dragon, MHS (Poksai Guma Chamorro), Saipan Southern Warriors, the man’amko of the Aging Center, Kristo Rai Church choirs, Baby PJ, Guam’s Ginen I Hila’ I Maga Taotao Siha, San Diego delegation, Rota’s Gilitai traditional dancers, Rota’s New Boyz and Dem Ladiez, CAB Dancers, Tinatak Warriors, Guam’s Taotao Lagu, Hopwood Junior High School, Ukulele Jammers, Pau Hinano, Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance, Alana Ia, Glushko Academy, Reunion Te Kanahau Nui, Stellar Marianas (Ms. Marianas Teen), Hugs and Kisses, Project Blue, Maluw Band, Saipan Southern High “Chamoritas,” Item Nine, Saipan Music and Dance School, Rose Dance School, the Yap community, Pacific Flower, Refaluwasch Warriors, Trunesian Breed Band, and Teivi Maori.