Madang Festival set for June

By Gynnie Kero

Plans and funds for the Madang festival have been underway with more assistance from the provincial government for the revival of the big event in June.
Madang Governor and former Chief Justice Sir Arnold Amet said he had allocated K200, 000 to the committees to promote the event this year.
Sir Arnold added that the event would be one of the many ways of promoting Madang’s culture both here and abroad.
He also encouraged business houses and the committees to conduct fundraising so that the event could be self- sustaining without the provincial government having to budget for the festival each year.
Sir Arnold said that the purpose of hosting the festival was to unite people from the local and international communities in the province.
Madang Provincial Administrator Joseph Dorpar said the aims for resurrecting the event were for the people to commemorate their cultures as their national identity and appreciate themselves as citizens of the province.
He said responsible citizens would help promote culture and tourism in and around Madang.
“Tourism is a big market and Madang is the ideal spot for tourist attractions”, Mr Dorpar said.
He said there would be diverse activities like cultural singsings, live concerts and sporting events.
Mr Dorpar added that all the activities throughout the festival would contribute towards the economic growth of Madang.
Sir Arnold is hoping to make the festival a premier cultural and tourism promotional event with Madang’s own variety so that it can be celebrated annually.