Fest’Napuan Happening in October

FEST’ NAPUAN, the South Pacific’s longest-running contemporary music festival, will be running from October 24-27.

It will be back at its longtime home, Saralana Park in Port Vila.

String bands will entertain at Fest Nalenga on Wednesday, October 24, with Fest’ Napuan international and local artists performing reggae, hip-hop, folk and rock styles on Thursday October 25, to Saturday October 27.

The 2018 festival will have a special theme – ‘Protektem Envareonmen blong Yumi’.

It will feature important environmental messages around climate change and reducing plastic waste following the ban single-use plastic in Vanuatu, particularly as a festival spokesman said Fest’Napuan plans to reduce its environmental impact as one of the largest events in Vanuatu through more sustainable management practices.
The 2018 logo, designed again by local artist David Abong, represents the links between humans and their impact on the environment, featuring a guitar whose strings unfold to become ocean waves, in which swim some of our local marine life.

“This representation shows the links between culture and the environment, and how our actions affect our surroundings,’’ he said.

He said Fest’ Napuan will partner a number of environmental organisations to assist in implementing the important theme messages.

“Fest’ Napuan especially welcomes the platinum sponsorship this year from the annual Climate Zone Competition – a collaboration between GIZ, Vanuatu Forest Association, Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Education,” he said.

“The competition involves every secondary school in Vanuatu in a knowledge competition on climate and disaster.”

The live game show-style final is to be held during the daytime sessions at Fest’Napuan 2018, as one of the festival theme features.

“Thanks to its sponsors — including this year TVL and VBTC as Platinum Sponsors — as usual it’s a free event and alongside all the kava, food and merchandise stalls, thousands can expect the very best of Vanuatu’s vibrant music scene.’’

The spokesman said the festival will be aiming to improve its disability access and advocacy messaging.

With this year’s Fest’ Napuan only going for four days rather than the usual five, the price of a stall has also been reduced, from the usual VT40,000 to only VT32,000 per stall.

People interested in a stall, which are all alcohol free should contact Jenny on 25251.