Solomon delegation to the 3rd Melanesian Arts Festival have arrived in Fiji

The Solomon Islands delegation to the 3rd Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture have successfully arrived in Suva early this morning.

According to information obtained from a local Solomon Star journalist who accompanied the group to cover the festival, the Solomon delegation which consists of dancers, pan-pipers, carvers, and officials have arrived in Suva around 2am Fiji time early this morning. They are now accomodated at the Marcellin Primary School in Vatuwaqa which is about 15 minutes drive from the heart of Suva City where the festival venue is located. The Solomon delegation should make up some 46 dancers, carvers, and officials.

However, it is understood that only half of the delegation have managed to find space in yesterday's flight from Honiara via Port Vila to Nadi. As a result another half of the Solomon delegation are still in Honiara and are expected to fly to Suva on tuesday next week. Therefore, they will miss the opening ceremony on monday evening. Reports also suggested that at least three of the Solomon delegation were offloaded last night in Port Vila due to unconfirmed seats and they will have to wait for tuesday next week before joining the group that is still in Honiara to come to Fiji.

Last night's flight was fully booked because the Vanuatu delegation is also expected to travel to Fiji in that same flight with the Solomon delegation, thus creating problems in transporting our dancers and officials to Fiji.