The beautiful and historic Rabaul Town in East New Britain province, lit up on the 16th of September 2025 in Papua New Guinea (PNG) colors and traditional attires from around the country to commemorate the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary as well as the 31st twin volcanic eruption.
As part of the annual Frangipani festival, the program started at 4am with the ‘Kinavai’ ceremony; a sacred Tolai ritual with tubuans arriving by canoe at dawn.
Then followed by the frangipani float parade around Rabaul town including cultural performances, local band performances and other fun family activities later held at the Queen Elizabeth Park.
The frangipani float parade witnessed business houses and government institutions from Rabaul town and Kokopo took part in the famous and family fun-filled event.
Rabaul Hotel Manager and member of the Frangipani Festival Committee Ms. Susie McGrade said that the main purpose of the frangipani float is to commemorate PNG’s independence anniversary as well as celebrating the twin volcanic eruptions.
“Rabaul gave birth to independence, and we have all the reason to celebrate.”
“The Mataungan Association pushed for our sovereignty, and we have to be grateful and honor the sacrifices and their fight for independence.”
She further thanked the Rabaul District Administration, Governor’s Office and all the business houses who sponsored and took part in the float and making it a success.
Ms. McGrade also thanked Pacific Industries (PI) for being the main sponsor of the event and given the naming rights for the Frangipani Gold Spot Float.
Meantime, Rabaul District Administrator Freddy Lemeki, said that this year the District Administration supported the Rabaul Historical Society with K20, 000 to help with its independence programs and other related activities.
“We also supported all our 49 wards as well as schools to assist them in their pre-independence celebrations which was celebrated a week earlier within their respective schools.”
Lemeki commended the Frangipani Festival Committee, Rabaul district officers, police, Rabaul Business Community, and the public for a peaceful celebration and that the district looks forward to hosting another bigger and better event next year.