PNG Tourism Minister Leonard Launches Kundiawa Cultural Show
The Kundiawa Cultural Show was formally launched by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard in Kundiawa Town, Chimbu Province last Thursday (29th June).
In a rousing reception by singsing groups and the people led by Simbu Governor Noah Kool, they welcomed Minister Leonard who officiated at the event.
Speaking from the provincial capital of Simbu in Kundiawa, Minister Leonard who is the Member for Samarai Murua District said that God blessed Chimbu province with many educated and knowledgeable people and it was incumbent upon these elites to now utilize the human resource to help preserve, protect and promote their culture and environment.
 |
| Caption: Minister Leonard (Left) presenting the K10,000.00 cheque by NCC to Kundiawa Gembolg MP Muguwa Dilu (center) and Simbu Governor Noah Kool (right) |
He said people had to unite and work together to ensure there was a common goal to see success in their respective engagements and spaces of cultural preservation and promotion.
Minister Leonard said Simbu held the highest mountain peak in the country that is Mt Wilhelm.
“It is an iconic tourism product and Mt Wilhelm is here to last for eternity and will remain even after all the copper and gold is finished. It will remain permanently even after we are gone. If it is packaged and monetised, Mt Wilhelm will be the biggest resource to the people of Simbu,” Minister Leonard said.
He asked in his speech, why Simbu and the recognition given to a cultural show, stressing that Simbu had a rich culture and tradition that needed to be preserved, promoted and showcased.
Minister Leonard said often people took culture and traditions for granted, but in fact this was their greatest wealth, they could ever have, and it was time for the people of Simbu to monetise their culture so that they could benefit from it if packaged and promoted well as a tourism product.
He announced that as of the occasion, the Kundiawa Cultural show had now been recognised and registered in the National Cultural Commission Calendar of events for the show to be staged for three days from September 10th to the 12th every year starting this year.
Adding that three days was enough time for tourists to visit the cultural show and spend their money on the event where people could benefit directly.
The last cultural show to be staged in Kundiawa was 10 years ago in 2013 and this year after a decade, the people of Simbu would now partake of such an important event.
He called on the people of Simbu to immerse in their culture as they showcased it.
He stressed the importance of promoting domestic tourism as it provided the basis of strengthening tourism within the country.
As minister responsible, he gave his assurance to continue to support this event through the state agencies under him, the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA).
He called on the Chimbu Provincial Government through the Governor to sign an agreement to partner with NCC to develop tourism in the country.
“With the National Cultural Policy already passed in parliament, the government is taken to task to build cultural centres/hubs in the provinces to promote and develop culture and tourism,” he added.
Minister Leonard acknowledged the presence of Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) Acting Managing Director Jude Tukulyia for his part in declaring that Mt Wilhelm and its precinct as a Heritage site.
Minister Leonard presented a Ten Thousand Kina (K10,000.00) cheque through the NCC and announced a further Fifty Thousand Kina (K50,000.00) funding from the TPA at a total of Sixty Thousand Kina (K60,000.00) to help support the Kundiawa Cultural Show Committee prepare for the event in September.
He commended Governor Kool, Kerowagi Open MP Hon Francis Kikin and host MP for Kundiawa Gembolg Hon Muguwa Dilu among others for promoting this cultural event, as it was a step in the right direction.
Minister Leonard was accompanied by NCC Executive Director Steven Kilanda who flew into Mt Hagen and travelled by road to Kundiawa to attend the event.
Statement
Post a Comment