The third Caledonia Festival has officially opened at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, bringing together communities from across New Caledonia for a celebration of culture and arts centred on Melanesian heritage.
Developed in the spirit of the Melanesia 2000 cultural event held in 1975, the festival opened with traditional dances and songs from Belep and the Isle of Pines.
The opening followed youth activities and workshops on cultural policy. Customary leaders, participating communities and government officials were presented to representatives from the Drubea-Kapumë area and staff of the cultural centre.
Government president Milakulo Tukumuli attended on behalf of the 19th government, alongside government members Ernest Déméné, responsible for culture, and Billy Forest, responsible for cultural affairs.
Déméné officially opened the festival, saying its objective was to make culture “a real lever so that citizenship is shared by all”.
He also described the festival as a platform for developing cultural policy, drawing on the theme of an earlier workshop, “Des racines et des ailes” — “Roots and Wings”.
“Roots to know where we come from. Wings to decide where we go together,” Déméné said.
The programme also featured the unveiling of “Djinu owa”, an exhibition showcasing works by four pioneering contemporary Kanak artists — Paula Boi, Yvette Bouquet, Micheline Néporon and Denise Tiavouane.
The festival features a programme of performances, exhibitions and cultural activities celebrating the diverse cultures of New Caledonia.
