Festival service in gardens

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 2

Festival service in gardens

. f.V.Z. Press .Association) I ROTORUA, Mar. 7. Rotorua’s Government i ■ Gardens became an outdoor church today for a congregation of overseas participants and local residents attending the South Pacific Festival of Arts at a service of worship and thanksgiving. “Many of" our forefathers: dreamed of a day like this,” I

(said the Rev. Kenape Fale- ' toese (Christchurch) in his 'address. : “Now our ‘coconut curItain’ has been broken down and our canoes have become flying jets. “We are here to share our community spirit, our cultures of hospitality and cheerfulness, our songs.' dances, and crafts,” said Mi l Faletoese. The old hospital foundation on the lake shore of the gardens was the altar foi the hour-long service.! Around it on the grass, sat I the 1200 Island participants. The festival was opened under a sweltering sun on the great marae of the: Arawa tribe at Rotorua on Saturday. The festival was described by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) as the greatest: exhibition ever seen of the arts and crafts of the Pacific; region. Mr Muldoon said the Gov- : ernment would continue to support more festivals, and' was concerned to see that what was best in the arts , and crafts of the Pacific' Basin was seen and pre- ' served. He spoke of a "spirit of i unity” provided by the people of Rotorua and the Arawa tribe. “It is this spirit which holds the key to our future not only as a multicultural nation but also as a South. Pacific community,” Mr Muldoon said.