Port Vila, Vanuatu – Musical and dance performances by Papua and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) artists captivated an enthusiastic audience at the 7th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) 2023 held in Port Vila, Vanuatu on Wednesday (26/7).
Performances were put on by artists such as Michael Jakarimilena, Lala Suwages, Frans Sisir, dan Boii Soasoa. They entertained the audience with Melanesian-themed songs which were paired with Indonesian music, giving it a unique flavour. The ongs performed included Kawarine, Wayawai Windawe, Diru Diru Nina O, and others.
Other performers included the Papuan dance troupe, Kasbi Dance which put on a dance performance which enlivened the show. The village music group Leisplang from Maumere, NTT, performed the Ikun B’eta dance followed by the songs Sora (Song for Children) and Gemu Fa Mi Re. They used various traditional musical instruments such as Gong, Waning, Sa’ur, Jimbe with Terren Bass, Juk (Ukulele), Benyol (Banjo), and violin to create distinctive harmonies in each song.
The Leisplang group expressed pride to be performing abroad for the first time, calling it rewarding experience. Erik, one of its members, expressed pride at the appreciation received from the Vanuatu public and is excited to continue preserving their traditional music.
Putri Nere, one of the representatives of the team of artists from Papua, stated that their performance in Vanuatu was a special experience. For them, the Melanesian festival was an opportunity to show that Melanesian culture is an inseparable part of Indonesia’s cultural diversity.
MACFEST is a gathering of artists from member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) with Indonesia as an associate member along with other countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS). The event, which took place from 19 to 31 July in Port Vila, Vanuatu, was organised by the MSG’s local partner, Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta (Vanuatu Cultural Center).
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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