The Port Moresby International School (POMIS) has started celebrations a week early as its students host a Cultural Show to mark Papua New Guinea’s 48th Independence Anniversary on Friday, 8th of September at the school campus in East Boroko. It was the first time after three years that the students celebrated again after it had been cancelled for the past three years due to the covid-19 pandemic in 2019. With the theme “Boldly Papua New Guinea”, school Principal Mr. Rowley said that it was an important event and a good way for the students to keep their cultures alive. “It’s very important for us because we’re not just an international school, we’re a Papua New Guinean school and we’re very proud of our Papua New Guinean identity.” “It is a great way for the students to reconnect with their cultures and experience their cultures and experience their culture as a living thing for them to keep their culture alive.” Mr. Rowley also stated that the organizing of the dances and groups was made by the students, so they would most likely be facing a lot of challenges during preparations. The school provided them with a venue to host the event. “They face the challenges everyday but when you see them on the day, it’s because they’ve overcome all the challenges they have faced during preparations.” Yolanda Pera, a student with the school, added that she greatly appreciated the event as it enabled her to learn about her culture as well as other cultures in the country. She said that these events were great for the students, as most know only a little about their culture and hoped for more events like these in the future. “It’s best that we have these cultural shows because it’s really fun to get together and get to know different cultures.”