Port Moresby is set to host the 53rd Hiri Moale Festival in a major way this year, with the National Capital District Commission pumping K800,000 into the event. Governor Powes Parkop made the announcement at the official launch at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, calling it a deliberate investment in the identity and standing of the Motu Koitabu people.
The festival, running from September 8 to 13 at Ela Beach, is one of Papua New Guinea’s most iconic cultural showcases. Parkop stressed that the Motu Koitabu, as original custodians of the land on which Port Moresby now stands, must never be pushed to the margins as the city undergoes rapid urban transformation.
“The Hiri Moale Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is about recognising and empowering the indigenous people of Port Moresby and ensuring their history and identity remain at the centre of our city’s future,” Parkop said. He added that NCDC’s backing extends beyond the dollar figure, framing it as a long-term pledge to safeguard Motu Koitabu heritage.
The governor also linked the festival to the broader Amazing Port Moresby initiative, noting that showcasing local culture plays a direct role in drawing tourists to the capital and boosting small business activity. Among those present at the launch were Moresby Northwest MP Lohia Boe Samuel and NCD Deputy Governor Russell Simon Wav.
Article source: blogger.com | Image credit: A Motu Koitabu girl from the Gulf of Papua performs a Hiri Hanenamo… News Photo – Getty Images
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