A team of Indonesian artists will be participating in the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) 2023. The 28-person team will take part in enlivening the cultural festival set to take place in Port Vila, Vanuatu from 25 to 30 July. It will be the seventh time that the event has been held.
Indonesia’s presence at MACFEST will deliver a message of togetherness and the commitment to work together, as well as enhancing interaction between the Melanesian communities in Indonesia with peoples of the Pacific countries, especially the Melanesian sub-region. This spirit is in line with the Indonesia’s Pacific Elevation vision which aims to strengthen cooperation with countries in the region.
Furthermore, the Indonesian artists will further enhance the positive image of Indonesia as a pluralistic country which champions the value of unity.
Indonesia was specifically invited to participate in this festival by the Director-General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) during a meeting with the Indonesian Foreign Minister in Bali on December 7, 2022. Indonesia currently holds the status of an associate member of MSG. The invitation to Indonesia was also extended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu to the Indonesian Foreign Minister during a recent working visit to Jakarta.
The Indonesian Cultural Mission team from Papua will present the song “Papua Dalam Cinta” (Papua in Love) created by Pay in collaboration with the group from Papua, Soa Soa, as well as a new song titled “Building a Bridge of Love” created by Steven Wally. From East Nusa Tenggara, the village music group “Leisplang” from Maumere will showcase traditional music addressing environmental issues. The Cultural Stage in Port Vila will also be enlivened by the dance performances of the Kasbi Dance group from Papua.
West Papua Now 