Melanesian Arts Festival

Vanuatu hopes to rebuild parliament of chiefs in time for regional festival

The structure, known as Malvatumauri Nakamal, located in the capital Port Vila, caught fire about 1 a.m. on Jan. 30, according to information from police, firefighters and residents. It was one of the most significant cultural buildings in the volcanically active archipelago where custom and tradition can be more powerful than civil law. 

“This house is a symbol of custom governance,” Chief Willie Grey Plasua, president of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, told a press conference the day after the fire. 

Port Vila to host Melanesian Arts Festival in July

“The Festival will major in Food and Food Preparation, so that we can ‘kill two birds with one stone (as part of country’s 41st Independence Anniversary Celebrations)’, and we want to build six Traditional Houses round the back here on the Cultural Centre premises.”

Shing added that while custom dancing is important, food and different cultural recipes of food preparation will most likely be among the highlights of the Melanesian Arts Festival.