Ambunti District, East Sepik came alive in early August, celebrating the annual Sepik River Crocodile Arts Festival – an event showcasing the location’s rich arts and culture. This year, the festival celebrated its 16th anniversary after first being established in 2007 by the Wildlife Fund (WWF) in collaboration with the National Cultural Commission (NEC) who later handed the festival to the District Administration and the Provincial Government after five years. The festival was initiated with the intention of raising awareness about crocodiles and their habitats, promoting tourism in the Sepik region, and supporting economic growth. The festival featured traditional dances, music, and skits performed by the people of Ambunti and neighbouring villages highlighting Ambunti’s diverse art and culture. Present at the event was Prof. Joseph Sukwianomb (the President of SRCAF), Mr. Benjamin Gawi (Vice President of SRCAF), representing Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, the Executive Director of National Cultural Commission, Mr. David Taim (Executive Manager of Festivals, Events, Cultural Services & Arts Industry) and Ms. Shiva Lynn Burgos (Founder of The Mariwai Project). Taim expressed his appreciation to the people of Ambunti for their efforts in making the festival a success. “Festivals are now a platform that we use to raise awareness and advance our culture.” "Folks attend festivals in order to observe, learn, and have an experience.” "That is the location of the transfer of cultural knowledge." The festival's official opening speaker, Lynn Burgos, stressed the importance of Ambunti having an Arts Center. She proposed using it as a community café, a space for teaching and learning, a location to welcome artists, and a place to sell art. "I believe that Ambunti needs an arts center where everyone in the community can benefit from learning how to make art, teaching, having other artists come to visit, having an art gallery for sales, and having a cafe." In addition, Taim announced that the National Cultural Commission would donate K5,000.00 to the festival in order to further its goal of conserving and advancing the arts and culture of the nation.