The Festival of Pacific Arts is the Pacific's largest regional cultural gathering, and the world's largest gathering of Indigenous Pacific cultures. Since 1972, the Festival has brought together the peoples from 27 Pacific Island nations and territories to share their cultures and establish deeper understanding and friendship. The Festival of Pacific Arts is held every four years and plays a vital role in safeguarding traditional practices by sharing and exchanging culture. The 12th Festival of Pacific Arts will be held in Guam from 22 May to 4 June 2016. The Festival attracts strong participation from Pacific countries and a delegation of 2500 performers, artists and cultural practitioners from across the Pacific is expected to participate in next year's festival. Art, culture and languages are essential to the wellbeing, culture and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and play an integral role in maintaining the sustainability, vitality and strength of Indigenous communities. The opportunity to showcase Australia's Indigenous cultures at this important international forum allows Australian Indigenous cultures to further enhance an already deep people-to-people connection with our Pacific neighbours. Australia has deep ties with the Pacific region through aid, foreign policy, trade, immigration and tourism. Our participation in the Festival of Pacific Arts allows us to forge closer links with Pacific Island governments, and enables Pacific peoples to enhance their respect and appreciation of one another. Australian Delegation A delegation of 60 artists have been selected to represent Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures at the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts. Visit the Australia's delegation to the Festival of Pacific Arts 2016 page for more about the artists.