The Malampa Province is preparing for the 4th National Arts festival which will be held in Malekula island from 18-22 August 2019.
It is a significant festival where all the six provinces in Vanuatu will come together to showcase the beauty of diverse custom traditions.
The main theme of the festival is 'preserve, promote, protect cultural knowledge'.
The Vanuatu Cultural Center (VCC) confirmed that an awareness team led by Chief Owen Edwin is currently in Malekula to visit the six main villages of Malekula to create awareness and prepare villages for the festival.
Chief Edwin has called on the people of Malekula to wake up to reality that they are going to host the festival for a week in August.
"The mission of the awareness team is to make sure that all the villages are prepared to host participants and to provide for them. So far three villages confirmed they can host participants, staff and volunteers.
"Some villages confirmed that they will provide man power and will help in any need required by the Local Organising Committee".
VCC stated that over 1000 people will travel to Malekula island during the National Arts Festival in August.
Photo supplied. Caption: Custom group from Malekula