The Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has officially launched the Iumi Wan Festival, a five-day cultural celebration running from September 9–13 at the SINU Village in East Honiara. The festival is being held alongside the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, which is taking place in Honiara from September 8–12.
Held under the theme “United Heritage Bound by the Ocean,” the Iumi Wan Festival aims to foster national unity and pride by celebrating the diverse cultures of the Solomon Islands.
It marks the second edition of the festival, with the inaugural event held during the 2023 Pacific Games.The festival’s opening ceremony was held yesterday, with the closing scheduled for September 13. Throughout the week, visitors will experience a wide range of cultural exhibitions and performances representing all nine provinces of Solomon Islands.
Each province has been allocated a traditional hut to showcase local artists, cultural producers, and handicraft makers, with exhibition oversight assigned to designated coordinators. This festival is all about getting to understand and appreciate each other’s culture. That helps foster peaceful coexistence within Solomon Islands. Unity is the primary goal, and then there’s also national pride.
In addition to cultural performances and displays, the festival features talk shows, conferences, and discussions among artists and musicians, as well as Ethno-Solomons programs, creating a platform for creative collaboration and cultural exchange.
As Honiara hosts regional leaders and international delegates for the PIF Leaders’ Meeting, organizers have called on the public to act respectfully and responsibly when attending the festival, noting the importance of showcasing the Solomon Islands’ rich and diverse cultural heritage to the region and the world.
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[Press release]
