By JOEL K ANDREW
THE upcoming 67th Goroka Show has received K20, 000 cheque from the National Cultural Commission (NCC) as a funding support towards hosting the show.
NCC Executive Director Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda presented the cheque to the Show’s chairlady yesterday at the NCC headquarters in Port Moresby.
“Supporting the emphasis on promoting cultural events in keeping Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage alive is an avenue for other development agendas to flourish,” says Mr. Kilanda when presenting the cheque.
He said Goroka Show is 67 years old but a smaller number of people have participated since its inauguration.
“This is because much of the people are living in rural vicinities throughout the country.
“PNG’s culture is diverse and there is more to showcase than the 150 to 200 participating cultural groups each year,” he said.
Kilanda said they are doing this as part of their agenda in driving cultural preservation awareness through shows and festivals all over the country.
“Let us not be persuaded by the modern trend that is evading our cultural heritage into thin air.
“We are Papua New Guineans and our culture is what differentiates us from the rest of the world.”
He urged all provinces and districts throughout PNG to work in close partnership with NCC to roll out cultural preservation and conservational programs and awareness through cultural shows, expeditions, festivals and excursions.
Chairlady of Goroka Show Miss. Hargreaves thanked the NCC board, Coca-Cola and all sponsors of the upcoming 67th Goroka Show.
She said they are expecting 1000 tourists all over the world who have booked two years ago to attend the show.
Miss. Hargreaves said culture in PNG is everyone’s business to learn, preserve and pass on to next generation.
“Compared to the previous years in my career as chairlady of the show, the number of tourists coming in this year has increased and we expect more to come in the next edition of our shows.”
“Tourism and Culture in PNG is a sustainable resource that can generate billions into PNG’s economy, if only we are serious about it.”
She said the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is the naming rights sponsor, and this year’s show will be named as 67th NGCB Goroka Show.
The show is officially scheduled to take place within three days.
It starts with the ‘Liklik Pikinini Day’ on September 15th and ends after independence on Sunday 17th September.
