Historic

The M.A.F. was created in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group. The Festival takes place every 4
years in one of the Melanesian countries, i.e. New Caledonia, Fiji, Papua-New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon
Islands. Its goal is to promote traditional and contemporary arts from the whole of Melanesia.

The 4 pirogues

The Festival will travel across the New Caledonian territory, through a system
of 4 travelling "pirogues":

- Opening in Kone on Sept 12
- Itinerancy through the North Province (Hienghène and Canala), South Province (Bourail, La Foa, Nouméa) and Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa), from Sept 16 to 22
- Closing ceremony in Noumea on Sept 24, the New Caledonian "Citizen Day"

Festival Program

Cultural Content
Here are the activities that are anticipated to appear in our programme:
 Live Performances
- Contemporary dancing, theater, opera
- Traditional dancing,
- Music concerts, traditional instruments, singing and choirs
- Music concerts, contemporary electric bands

 Visual Arts
- Exhibitions of contemporary visual arts, photos, books (cf. "Quay of Arts" operation organized in
Noumea)
- Movie and video screenings

 Handicraft and traditional know-how
- Handicraft, garments and ornaments for exhibitions and/or demonstrations
- Cooking, sailing, traditional games, and handicraft competitions

 Workshops and symposiums on artistic practices or cultural issues
- Music and Copyright issues (SPC symposium),
- Language and Identity (Kanak Language Academy),
- Politics and Custom (Customary Senate)