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Place: Saralana Stage, Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Port Vila
Date: 21 October to 23 October 2010
The much adored music and dance festival of Vanuatu, Fest'Napuan, was held for the first time ever in the year 1985 with the intention of encouraging contemporary music in this Island.
While the word Fest in the name of the event was derived from English and French, Napuan, which means Music and Dance, originated from the language spoken by the people of Tanna Island.
In short, the festival is held annually for the promotion of contemporary music in Vanuatu. The young people who are part of music groups are offered an opportunity to perform in front of a large audience so that they can enjoy greater public exposure. The contemporary musicians of Vanuatu receive support and recognition from the Government as well as other private sponsors.
The event is held for four nights for entertaining the people with top-quality musical entertainment at zero cost. The performances are given by a broad cross-section of local groups and special overseas acts.
The event is hosted at the National Cultural Complex amphitheatre adjacent to the National Museum building, where it was held in 1996.
Even though the event’s origin can be traced back to 1985, it was given its current form in 1997, officially, by late Father Walter Hadye Lini, who was the then Minister of Internal Affairs. He had declared that Fest'Napuan would be an annual event.
This is the premier musical event of the year and people from even outside Vanuatu also participate in the event. The Fest'Napuan is also gaining more popularity, with bands from New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, West Papua, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand participating the event.
The Fest'Napuan is a free event for the public. The five-day annual Fest'Napuan outdoor music concert is the biggest of all Vanuatu events. So choose to be a part of the audience or the performers to get the feel!
