The Hiri Moale festival in Port Moresby is back after missing out last year due to the implications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and major sponsor- Steamship Trading Company Ltd, has pitched in once again to support this annual cultural event.
Steamships Managing Director Mr. Rupert Bray on Wednesday announced the sponsorship committed to hosting the festival.
“We’re committing a hundred thousand Kina particularly to supporting the Hanenamo pavilion, the cultural performers, the musicians and the food and beverage at the festival,” said the managing director.
“Steamships is proud to sponsor the Hiri Moale festive 2021/ 2022. It’s been something we have been doing for a long time and it’s something very close to our hearts.
“The preservation of the culture and traditions of our people is important, particularly in the regions where steamships work, and we work here more than anywhere else.
The NCD (National Capital District) and the Motu- Koita region is our home. This is where we started, and we are very proud to be sponsoring this again.”
Meanwhile, the festival itself will kick start towards the end this week with the first judging of the female participants set to take place this Friday 28th of January.
Chairman of the Motu- Koita Assembly and Deputy NCD Governor Dadi Toka Junior, said it starts this Friday and on the 11th of February will the sponsor night, the 12th will be the Vanagi Race (canoe race) at Era Kone (Ela Beach) and the Lakatoi arrival in the afternoon of the same day, and on the 13th of February will be the crowing of the Hiri Hanonamo at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
This year there are ten female participants each representing their respective villages in the Motu- Koita region and contesting for the crown.