REEDS FESTIVAL OPENS IN STYLE by Aloysius Laukai in Arawa

Groups stood in two lines in full traditional gear whilst the main Sponsors walked to the stage.

By Aloysius Laukai in Arawa
Source: New Dawn FM
Link: http://bougainville.typepad.com/newdawn/2011/07/110711reeds-festival-opens-in-style-by-aloysius-laukai-in-arawa-the-second-reeds-festival-started-in-style-this-morning-with.html

The second REEDS Festival started in style this morning with all participants lining up in their traditional attires to allow the sponsors of the event President of the US based Christensen Foundation, DIANE Christensen her husband and daughter plus Board members of the Foundation to walk in the middle to the stage.
This was the second Reeds Festival since the first festival was held in 2009.

The festival was started by the late WILLIAM TAKAKU with funding support from Christensen funds.
Speakers at the Opening ceremony spoke highly of the vision the Late William had to resurrect dying cultures due to modern influences.
The late Takaku wanted the Reeds festival as a mark of Bougainville’s unique style in making music with the Bamboo (kaur).

The show of Bougainville’s unique styles were then displayed until late in the afternoon.

Picture of a Dance group ready to perform at the ceremony.