THE National Cultural Commission (NCC), a commission functioned to preserve, promote, develop and safeguard the intangible and tangible cultural heritage of this country has opened its first archives and library in Port Moresby last Friday, May 7.
The container built store rooms consisting of three separate spaces is set to store some of the significant cultural records and documents as well as work and personal files registered under NCC.
The Chief Executive Director for NCC, Steven Kilanda while giving his speech described the opening of the archives as a small yet very significant event.
He said that NCC since its enactment by Parliament in 1994 had been shifting official space from various places and in the process has lost many of its important documents. Therefore, having the small archives in place is an achievement for the Commission to safe keep some of the important piece of PNG’s cultural significance.
The Commission was also pleased to receive support from the Institute of PNG Studies (IPNGS), an Institute establish in 1974 under the present National Cultural Commission and has since been an active organization with its work focus on research into various aspects of PNG cultures, particularly music, dance and oral history.
Some of PNG’s traditional songs that the Institute kept dated 50 to 100 years back.
The IPNGS Director, Professor Don Niles who spoke during the event said that the Institute is proud to be part of the significant event.
He said the archives will enable these materials to be kept in a safe place regardless of where NCC moves.
“It will save the documents and the work NCC has done in the past, present and to guide the decisions that will be made in the future concerning culture in PNG and that it is of extreme significance.
“The initiative also applies to other originations that also have important records that need to preserve now for future generation as well,” Professor Niles said.
The National Cultural Commission together with The National Archives and Library Services and the Institute of PNG studies will work in partnership to better safeguard, educate and promote Arts and Culture in PNG.
The Director of National Archives and Library Services, Robert Yalip who also spoke during the opening has encouraged more PNG writers , authors and publishers to write more about our culture which can be sold and can be used as one of the avenue for Tourism in the country.
The small event saw members of the various diplomatic team who gathered to show support as well as witness the program.
Mr Kilanda further expressed his appreciation to the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture and Member for Samarai-Murua, Isi Henry Leonard for always supporting the initiative put in place by the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Commission has also called to other developing partners to come on board and support the industry in terms of developing and upholding our cultural heritage as a national pride and as an asset of the country.