Call for National Arts & Cultural Festival to Unite Solomon Islands – Marita
BY DESMOND RAHE
Director of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Dennis Marita, has made a passionate call for the establishment of a National Arts and Cultural Festival to unite the people of Solomon Islands through their rich and diverse traditions.
The IUMI WAN Festival is already being recognized as a stepping stone toward that dream — a national celebration of culture, identity, and unity in the heart of the Pacific.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the IUMI WAN Festival at Panatina Village on Tuesday, Mr. Marita said such a festival would serve as a powerful platform to celebrate and strengthen national unity.
“We need a national arts and cultural festival — one that brings the whole country together,” Marita said.
“A festival that brings all provincial groups to one place, presenting the values of their unique cultures from the islands.”
He said that while provincial festivals are important, a national event would showcase the full spectrum of the country’s cultural richness.
The IUMI WAN Festival, now in its early stages, was born from this very vision — to use culture as a bridge for unity across the islands.
“As we all know, our country is diverse — and we need to bring that diversity together. We have the potential to do that,” he said.
Marita pointed to the recent 54th Pacific Islands Forum as an example of how diverse groups can come together with pride and purpose.
“This festival brings Solomon Islanders together in one place, to celebrate and appreciate our cultural diversity as one people.”
He shared that the goal of IUMI WAN is not only to celebrate culture but also to foster national identity, inclusion, and pride.
“The purpose of this festival is to unite us in our diversity,” he said. “For now, we’re starting small, but this year we’ve already seen provincial cultural performers joining us here in Honiara.”
He noted that Makira Province was among the few that participated this year, thanks to local support and resources. However, the vision goes far beyond 2025.
“By 2027, we aim to bring groups from all over the country to Honiara,” Marita revealed.
Looking further into the future, he announced an ambitious plan for the festival to rotate among provinces and eventually grow into a regional and international cultural celebration.
“Each year, a different province will host the festival. In the next 10 to 20 years, this will grow into something big — something historic.”
Marita said the long-term goal is to invite neighboring Pacific countries to take part, and to use technology to bring the festival to the world.
“We’ll take the festival online so people can celebrate outside Solomon Islands. We’ll invite our diaspora communities in Australia, New Zealand, England — and anywhere else they may be.”
“This festival will transcend physical boundaries and unite us all — no matter where we are.”
