Press Release
Guam’s Journey to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture Begins
and Call Out for Programming Chairs
[Hagåtna, June 10, 2019] - Exactly one year from today, the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture will take place in Honolulu, Hawai’i. In preparation for Guam’s participation in the event, the Guam 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture Planning Task Force, along with the Department of CHamoru Affairs (DCA) and its division of the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities (CAHA) is seeking individuals to serve as committee chairs of the various programs that Guam will be joining in during the festival.
The four committees include Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Demonstrations/Exhibitions, and Special Events/ Activities. Performing Arts which shall oversee Traditional Song, Dance and Chants; Drama/ Theatre; Oral traditions and Storytelling; and Fashion/ wearables art show. Literary Arts which shall oversee Publications and Indigenous Languages. Demonstrations/ Exhibitions which shall oversee Visual Arts; Floral Arts; Culinary Arts; Canoe Voyaging; Photography; Healing Arts; Body Ornamentation; Carving; Handicrafts; Film; Traditional Games; Weaving and Tattooing. Special Events/ Activities which shall oversee Youth Ambassador Program; Canoe Regatta; Culinary umu/imu cook off – underground cooking; Traditional Games Competition and Workshops, forums and seminars
“Guam’s hosting of the last Festival of Pacific Arts impacted a lot of our residents, especially our young people and instilled in them a pride and appreciation for the CHamoru culture. For many it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to immerse themselves in our rich cultural heritage and to gain a better understanding of the similarities and differences we share with our Pacific brothers and sisters.” stated Ann Marie Arceo, Co-Chair and Head of Delegation for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture Planning Task Force. Senator Kelly Marsh (Taitano) PhD also serves as Co-Chair of the Task Force.
The Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPac) is held every four years since 1972, and brings together artists and cultural practitioners from around the Pacific region for two weeks of festivity. It is recognized as a major regional cultural event, and is the largest gathering in which Pacific peoples unite to enhance their respect and appreciation of one another. 27 Pacific Island Nations and Territories have come together to share and exchange their cultures at each Pacific Arts Festival. In 2016, Guam hosted the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. The 2016 festival allowed Guam to showcase its unique CHamoru culture that has survived colonization of the past and modernization of the present.
Interested parties have until 4:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 to submit their application with supporting materials to the Department of CHamoru Affairs located on the second floor of the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum & CHamoru Educational Facility, 193 Chalan Santo Papa Juan Pablo Dos in Hagåtna or via email to jacqueline.balbas@caha.guam.gov.
For further information visit www.guamcaha.org or contact Jackie Balbas, CAHA Program Coordinator IV at 300-1204/5/6/7/8 or the email indicated above.
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