Cultures mix at Maori welcome to Womad artists

The world came together at Waitara today in a poignant sharing of cultures.

Music became an international language as about 150 Womad artists were given a passionate Maori welcome at Owae Marae.

And afterwards, the children gathered around the performers for impromptu performances and jam sessions.

Womad -- World of Music Arts and Dance -- opens a three-day festival in New Plymouth tomorrow that is expected to attract 30,000 spectators.

Woodstock legend Richie Havens is the star attraction.

Womad co-founder Thomas Brooman thanked the people of Taranaki for their welcome. "I think this experience will touch our lives and change our lives," he said.

"In this house now, we are from all the world's continents and we come in peace. Without music, I don't know where we would be."

Today Brooman announced that Taranaki would be the permanent home to the New Zealand staging of Womad.

- NZPA