Performances by Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) arts and cultural delegation at the recent 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts & Culture in Hawaii, USA drew crowds and captured the attention of many.
This is according to Head of Delegation, Mr. Steven Kilanda who is also the Executive Director of the National Cultural Commission.
He said PNG was powerfully promoted since the start of the festival of June 6th.
“You can see from the body language from other countries; our culture is unique, colourful, authentic and diverse.”
“After our performances in the last four days, people have been following us around to get
photographs and interviewing us.”
“It is very interesting, and I think we are marketing our country and our culture very well at the global stage.”
Tourists from all over the world converged in Hawaii to witness the world’s largest showcase of the arts and cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the Pacific, as it is a tourism hub.
Kilanda commended the traditional dance groups from Hela, Morobe, Central and Chimbu provinces for their tireless efforts and the contemporary theatrical group, Agent X, and individual artists, including PNG’s reggae sensation, Anslom Nakikus, for putting the country on the world map.
He stated that PNG needs to be exposed aggressively to the world on such platform.
Additionally, he appealed to the media to promote the country’s arts and cultural heritage, and report less on the negative stories that deface the country’s image.
Kilanda also thanked the National Government for its support and financial backing that ensured PNG’s participation at FestPac in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The festival ended on June 16th.