Vodafone returns as platinum sponsor of Fest’Napuan

September 26, 2024 9:48 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Vodafone has once again stepped up as the premier sponsor of the Pacific’s longest-running music festival, Vanuatu’s very own Fest’Napuan.

In fact, Vodafone and its predecessor, Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL), are Fest’Napuan’s oldest and most enduring partners, having sponsored the very first Fest’Napuan in 1996 and continuing almost annually to this day, almost 29 years.

“The theme for this year’s Fest’Napuan, ‘Sapos yu foldaon yu mas kirap’ (in English, ‘If you fall down, you must get up!’), inspired by the famous song from Vanuatu’s own musical star, Metoxide, aligns well with Vodafone’s own theme, ‘Together we can’.

“This reflects that despite the troubled times our country has experienced this year, together we can and will get back on our feet as the year closes,” the Fest’Napuan committee stated.

Participation of international artists secured

The committee also proudly confirmed several international artists for this year’s festival.

From Papua New Guinea (PNG), via Australia, is Ngaiire, a Papua New Guinea-born Australian R&B and future soul singer-songwriter, whose participation is being sponsored by the Australian Government.

From Kanaky/New Caledonia comes singer-songwriter Gulaan, whose participation is sponsored by the Alliance Française, Fonds Pacifique, and the Government of Nouvelle-Calédonie.

From the Solomon Islands, we have Unik 7, now a Fest’Napuan regular. And from Fiji comes Ratu, courtesy of the Fiji Gala Night committee.

The Fest’Napuan Committee is also calling on the business community, local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and generous donors to contribute to this year’s festival.

With Fest’Napuan being Vanuatu’s largest free event and entirely run by volunteers, additional sponsorship is crucial for ensuring that this vibrant festival remains free and accessible to all.

To acknowledge the support of sponsors, creative and engaging promotional materials will be developed and widely distributed.

Building on the successful partnership with the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival in 2023, Fest’Napuan 2024 aims to be more family-friendly and inclusive by designating a third of stalls as kava-free and assigning a dedicated smoking area to ensure that most of the festival remains smoke-free, creating a healthier and more enjoyable environment for all.

This year, the festival will feature 30 stalls, with 20 offering food and kava, and 10 dedicated solely to food.

Those interested in securing a stall can contact Rona at 25251.