Chairman of NATPAN 2026 committee and Director of Culture Division under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Dennis Marita (left) receives the carton of waters from a rep from VFresh Water Beverage Production Company, Mr. Fred Tuita (right).
NATPAN committee acknowledges support from VFresh and Solrais companies
Chairman of NATPAN 2026 festival committee and Director of Culture Division under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Dennis Marita (second from left) receives the 25 bags of rice from the General Manager of Solomon Rice Company Ltd (Solrais), Mr. Bradley Forde (third from right). Also pictured are staff from the ministry.
Honiara, Solomon Islands 22nd June 2026: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) through the organizing committee for the National Panpipe Festival (NATPAN) 2026, has acknowledged the generous support received from VFresh Water Beverage Company and Solomon Rice Company Limited (Solrais), toward the hosting of the National Panpipe Festival 2026.
The support includes 50 cartons of distilled drinking water delivered by VFresh on Friday 19th June, and 25 bags of rice products handed over by Solrais to the committee, today.
These contributions will assist with food and water supplies, particularly for participating provincial panpipe groups traveling to Honiara for the festival.
The NATPAN Committee expressed its sincere gratitude to VFresh and Solrais for their valuable support, noting that their contributions will play an important role in ensuring the successful delivery of the festival.
The committee also looks forward to continued partnerships with both companies as the Ministry will continue to host the NATPAN and IUMI Wan festivals on a biannual basis.
In recent weeks, the committee also received support from other sponsors. SolTuna has donated 15 cartons of tuna products, while Sasa Water company contributed 10 cartons of distilled water to support the festival.
The committee remains grateful for the support received to date and welcomes further contributions from corporate sponsors toward the festival.
The National Panpipe Festival 2026 will be held at the National Museum and National Art Gallery in Honiara from 1–5 July 2026.
This year’s event marks the third edition of the festival, following successful festivals held in 2017 and 2019. The festival was then suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations for the Pacific Games 2023, before returning this year.
The upcoming festival will feature three key components: panpipe performances, traditional dance presentations, and a symposium on panpipe music.
With the festival set to begin next week, the NATPAN Committee invites everyone to join in celebrating the rich panpipe heritage of Solomon Islands.
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