PNG leaves lasting imprints in Hawaii

PACIFIC FESTIVAL

THE impact that Papua New Guinea made at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii, USA, over two weeks cannot be over stated.
Because of the diversity of arts and cultural heritage on display, the PNG exhibits drew large crowds at each event.
PNG was among 27 other Pacific Island nations that celebrated the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu, Hawaii, from June 6 to 16.
This festival is celebrated every four years around the Pacific region. It is the world’s largest showcase of the arts and cultural heritage of the indigenous islanders of the vast Pacific Ocean.
Head of the PNG delegation and the executive director of National Cultural Commission, Steven Kilanda, expressed great satisfaction that the team he led caught the eye of the world and put PNG on the map under a positive light for once.
Many foundations and museums expressed interest in PNG and what it has to offer in the arts and culture sector, Kilanda said.
“The feedback and responses have been very pleasant and encouraging. I can not say thank you enough. We have delivered exceptionally well and I am so proud to be a Papua New Guinean,” an ecstatic Kilanda said.
“I thank all our participants including Chimbu, Morobe, Central and Hela cultural groups that have participated at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“I also thank band members led by Anslom Nakikus, individual artists, performing arts troupe members, carvers, filmmaker Spencer Wangare, fashion show team leader Anna Amos, craft and bilum makers.
“Thank you all. You all have done very well marketing and promoting our country through arts and culture.
“They have placed PNG at the top of all the 27 Pacific Island countries at this global stage. We became outstanding at this regional festival because of our diverse, authentic and unique culture that we have in our country,” Kilanda boasted.
He further thanked the National Government for funding and supporting the country’s participation at the global stage, and extended his appreciation to the Central, Morobe and Chimbu provincial governments and the respective governors for their financial support and backing.
The management and staff of the National Cultural Commission have been commended for their hard work and commitment that has translated into a string of awards and commendations to the head of the organisation, Steven Enomb Kilanda.
Kilanda this week signed his contract of employment, extending his term for another four years. He was also recognised in the King’s birthday honours list as a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

Chief Secretary Ivan Pomale, commended Kilanda for the work NCC has been doing so far in the promotion and preservation of the arts and cultural heritage of the Papua New Guinea and the Melanesian culture and identity as a whole.
NCC deputy board chairman Prof Leo Marai summed up the achievements of the commission and heaped praise on the management and staff of the organisation at the Government House following the signing of Kilanda’s contract of employment.
Kilanda said he was happy and humbled by the recognition of the State and the stakeholders and thanked them for giving him the opportunity to serve.
He extended similar gratitude to his family and the management and staff of the commission for their part in progressing the organisation.
The seven recipients of the signing ceremony included Levi Maino as the provincial administrator for East New Britain administration, Dr Mange Matui as the secretary for the Constitutional Law Reform Commission, Joseph Iri Mambi as the provincial administrator for Western Highlands, Igo Gari as Milne Bay provincial administrator, Clarence Hoot as the managing director of Investment Promotion Authority, Michael Barobe as the chief executive officer of the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance and Robert Alphonse Kaiyun as the provincial administrator of Western.
Kilanda was first appointment as the acting executive director of National Cultural Commission in 2018 when it was at the verge of collapse. He turned the tide and restored the commission in a space of eight years, setting a new benchmark in the history of the organisation.