KOROR (Palau Horizon) —Over 2,000 delegates from 26 countries are expected to join the 2004 Pacific Arts Festival which Palau will host for the first time.
The government has begun its preparations for this event that will further boost the country’s culture.
Tina Rehuher, organizing committee head, said the government had already established councils that would handle the logistics and communications needed for the event.
She said Palau participants will highlight traditional and contemporary dance performances and other cultural activities such as crafts, performing arts and visual arts.
During the 8th Pacific Arts Festival in New Caledonia, Palau sent 76 delegates. The event is celebrated every four years.
Earlier, Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Alexander Merep said the number of Palauan participants for the festival could be doubled, adding that hosting the event “is a milestone for the country.”
However, Rehuher declined to specify the amount of their budget, saying the organizing committee was still working on it.
There will be local fund-raising events to augment whatever funds may be obtained from the national government, Rehuher said.
Merep recently said the event might need over $1 million to cover the preparations and accommodations.
The new Belau National Museum building and the Culural Center complex, which the government hopes to finish before the big celebration, will be the venues of the festival.
The government’s capital improvement projects manager, Ric Mangham, said the government was expecting proposals for the construction of the new building and may award the contract in April or May.
