TheFestival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), also known as thePacific Arts Festival, is a travelling festival hosted every four years inOceania. It was conceived by thePacific Community[1] as a means to stem erosion of traditional cultural practices by sharing and exchanging culture at each festival. The major theme of the festival is traditional song and dance.
The Pacific Cultural Council (formerly "Pacific Arts Council" or "Council of Pacific Arts", originally "South Pacific Arts Festival Council")[2] selects the host country and recognises that each participating country desires the opportunity to showcase its unique indigenous culture by hosting the festival. Host selection is based on principles of equity and preference is given to countries which have not yet hosted. The festival host country pays participants' costs of local travel, accommodation, meals, and other forms of hospitality. Entry to all artistic events is free to the public thereby maximising cultural outreach and inclusion.
By its vastness, thePacific Ocean inhibits social and cultural interchange between the inhabitants of its mostlyisland countries. The festival, not a competition but a cultural exchange, reunites people and reinforces regional identity and mutual appreciation of Pacific-wide culture. Participating countries select artist-delegates to represent the nation at this crossroads of cultures, considered a great honour.
Indigenous land-rights activistEddie Koiki Mabo was heavily involved in the organisation of the 1988 festival held in Townsville, working as Community Arts Officer with theDepartment of Aboriginal Affairs.[3]
Doreen Kuper was the Chair of the Festival of Pacific Arts that was held inHoniara in 2012.[8][9][10][11] The festival attracted an audience of 200,000 people, with 3,000 performers from twenty-four countries taking part.[12] During her time as Chair, Kuper led calls for therepatriation of art and artefacts to the Solomon Islands from non-Pacific countries.[13]
The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture convened in Hawaii in June 2024. "Ho‘oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania" served as the theme of FestPAC Hawaiʻi 2024, honouring the traditions that FestPAC exists to perpetuate with an eye toward the future.
In 2018, theHawaii State Legislature appointed a temporary commission to oversee the planning and implementation of FestPAC Hawaii. Its nine members, appointed by the Governor, state lawmakers and officials, represented the culture, spirit and heart of Hawaiʻi. Many have experienced the power of FestPAC first hand over the years.
"What We Own, What We Have, What We Share, United Voices of the PACIFIC" ~ "Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta, Håfa Ta Påtte, Dinanña’ Sunidu Siha Giya PASIFIKU"
^Unattributed (26 July 2008)."Festival of Pacific Arts changes name".Islands Business. Islands Business International. Archived fromthe original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved10 August 2008. This mis-titled article describes adoption of name change, not by the Festival of Pacific Arts, but by its overseeing body, from "Council of Pacific Arts" to "Pacific Cultural Council."
^abUnattributed (1 May 2007)."2008 Festival of the Pacific Arts". Office of Insular Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. Archived fromthe original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved9 August 2008.
^"4th Festival of Pacific Arts".Festivals of Pacific Arts. Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Archived fromthe original on 23 February 2005. Retrieved10 August 2008. Mentions the festival location and date had to be changed due to 1984 political instability in New Caledonia which was originally planned to host.
^Moulin, Jane Freeman (Fall 2005)."Oltobed a Malt (Nurture, regenerate, celebrate)".The Contemporary Pacific.17 (2). University of Hawaiʻi Press:512–6.doi:10.1353/cp.2005.0065. Retrieved9 August 2008. Although access to the full article is restricted through Project MUSE, the free synopsis is useful.
