Cultural show links to traditional identity, students told

CULTURAL events are important occasions because every country is linked to a culture, an academic says.
Institute of Business Studies (IBS) University Chancellor Gabriel Pepson made the remarks during the university’s cultural show in Port Moresby last Friday in commemoration of PNG’s 44th independence anniversary.
Pepson said a person’s identity was always linked to a culture.
“Your identity as a person and our identity as a nation is linked to culture and in PNG we are blessed to have a lot of different culture and languages,” he said.
“PNG might be lacking in some socio-economic indicators but in terms of culture, we are right up there because of our diversity and that is a unique thing we have.”
Pepson said PNG had the potential to be a tourist destination because of its unique and diverse culture.
“We have the potential to be an exceptional tourist destination because I have been to a lot of places in the world and I can say that PNG has a rich culture and tradition that the world needs to know about,” he said.
Students performed in their respective provincial groups to mark Independence Day on Sept 16.
Some of the groups that performed were from Southern Highlands, Morobe, New Ireland, Gulf, Central, West New Britain, Chimbu, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, West Sepik, Western Highlands, Milne Bay and Manus.