MELANESIA ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS IN MT HAGEN

At least two satellite venues for the Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture, have begun activities today.

These are Mount Hagen in Western Highlands and Kokopo in East New Britain.

The Festival was officially opened in Mount Hagen at 1 o'clock this afternoon, while a traditional Tumbuan ritual kicked off events in Kokopo, at dawn today.

Delegations from Solomon Islands and New Caledonia join local highlands groups for the Festival in Mount Hagen and the same is expected for Kokopo.

For Wewak in East Sepik, groups from three Melanesian countries celebrate the same occasion, alongside 33 local groups as well as those from Madang, Morobe and West Sepik, from July 4 to 9.

Alotau in Milne Bay also starts the Arts and Culture Festival around the same time.

Port Moresby is into the fourth day of this Festival.