The Solomon Islands National Organizing Committee of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts last Saturday launched a special bi-weekly radio program on the National Broadcaster (SIBC).

The program is produced by the Festival Media and Communications Committee as part of a nation-wide awareness program about the festival.

Solomon Islands is hosting the festival from the 1st to 14th July 2012.
Besides the radio program, a number of media awareness and promotions on TV, newspapers and online will follow soon.

Chairperson of the Media and Communications Committee, George Herming said raising awareness about such a big regional Arts and Cultural event is crucial as the country prepares to host around 3000 participants from 27 pacific countries.

"My team which comprises experienced media and communications specialists will embark on mass media awareness to help our people understand and prepare for the festival," Mr Herming explained.

He added that awareness is a key component of preparations toward the event as it will help our people know exactly what the festival means and what we need to do to prepare our country for our regional visitors as well as tourists.

The special festival program on SIBC targets mature audiences throughout the country and all information regarding the festival will feature throughout the program.
A series of programs specially designed for young audiences will be aired on the FM stations in Honiara.

Mr Herming also explained that newspaper and Television promotions will also be carried out to ensure maximum publicity for the festival is achieved in the short period of time left for the festival.

For regional and international audiences, a festival website is expected to be launched at the end of July as the Media and Communication Team is finalizing few technical issues before the website can be hooked up on the internet.

The Media Team is pleased to encourage listeners, readers and viewers throughout the country to keep themselves informed of the festival through the promotions.

Source: Press Release, Festival of Pacific Arts Committee