The 3rd annual Kopen Cultural Festival and Eco-tourism Conservation Exhibition is expected to be bigger and better this year, featuring a wide variety of small and large cultural groups from the 11th -13th of December in Enga province. Kopen village outside Wabag town is now looking forward to hosting this significant event and welcoming visitors including international tourists. The exquisite festival will be joined by the Enga Governor himself, Sir Peter Ipatas along with the Minister for Arts, Culture and Tourism Belden Norman Namah, the National Cultural Commission (NCC), PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), Enga Provincial Administration and development partners and other relevant stakeholders. This festival will coincide with the official opening of Haus Man (Cultural Tradition House for Engan Men) and Cultural Research Centre, where traditional artifacts, tourism objects and products will be displayed. Chairman of the Kopen Take Pii Festival, Mr. Luke Lale expressed his gratitude towards all stakeholders for their support and introduced the Festival Program along with its significant objectives. “I would like to thank the Enga Provincial Government, NCC, PNGTPA, Development Partners and stakeholders for promoting such cultural festivals.” “The activities for this year’s program will include the opening of the Cultural Research Centre, followed by traditional Singing, traditional Sports, courtship, an Eco-Tourism Conservation Exhibition, a Bilum Exhibition, rituals, crafts, sand painting and a string band performance.” “The festival focuses on three objectives; to promote cultural diversity, encourage independent reasoning for young people and to facilitate access for all cultures,” Mr. Lale said. The festival was created to implement the National Cultural Commission’s cultural policy of 2022-2023 focusing on protecting, preserving and encouraging all indigenous cultural resources, which are almost forgotten due to western and global influences. The hosting of such cultural festivals and tourism products development will enhance socio-economic activities and curb escalating law & order issues, address Gender Base Violence, Inclusive Disabilities and other forms of Discrimination in the communities. The show also aims at engaging the young men and women so that they can actively participate to create conducive environments for all to live in, thus put behind the so-called tribal conflicts.