By Francesca Nith
Another Banutang Song Festival has come to an end, with a flashy closing ceremony. This year 287,564 people visited the festival, the second highest ever since its' first event in 1997. Next year will be its' 30th anniversary, and organisers hope it wil be even bigger.
Final preparations are being made for the WorldVision Song Contest, as the lasst few posters, murals and banners are decorated and erected in Orangamonk before the beginning of the WV Valley, a weeklong celebration of music, seeing performances from Immortal and Yerevan, beginning wiht the opening ceremony on Tuesday.
Orangamonk locals are saying this is the "busiest Orangamonk has ever been," the train up from Chimpangutan being packed to the brim with people. A businessman commuting to Orangamonk for a meeting said "This is the first time I've not been able to sit down there's this much people." There have been complaints, however most people are welcoming the Worldvision spirit for this eventful weekend.
As for the Chimpangutan Film Festival, the 9-day event has just begun. Several thousand people have flooded into Chimpangutan to visit the festival and see the best of what Saint Monkey's film, especially indie film industry has to offer. It is also set to be the one of, if not the biggest Chimpangutan Film Festival of all time.
Back to Orangamonk, the stage for the WV Valley has now been complete. One volunteer has said, "We can't wait to test this baby out in front of some of the best artists of all time!" The amusement park has also been set up, expected to open on Monday.
WorldVision is just around the corner and the festivites have almost begun. This is going to be one very exciting week, and at the end of it all, a new winner of the WorldVision Song Contest will be crowned.
21st August 2025
Publishing Broadcaster
