Culture an invaluable asset that needs preservation, says Kilanda

PAPUA New Guinea’s culture is an invaluable asset that should be preserved and showcased, according to the National Cultural Commission (NCC).
Executive director Steven Kilanda said while the Covid-19 had disrupted the tourism industry, it was a time to start developing new tourism products.
He said partnerships with different stakeholders was the way forward to tap into wealth creation.
Kilanda said stakeholders included non-government organisations, Government departments and agencies, community leaders, district development authorities, provincial governments and tertiary institutions.
“The office is small, culture is everyone’s business so we all should develop this industry,” he said.
“Culture is the biggest tourism product in the country, 90 per cent of tourists come because of our culture and associated activities, so we need to develop cultural products and festivals.”
Kilanda said one of the approaches going forward was to get cultural shows and festivals back to the rural communities instead of provincial centres.
“We try to refocus the cultural activities,” he said.
“Previously, we only put the cultural activities and shows at the provincial and national levels and we do not go to the local, provincial and community levels to put up the shows.”
He said this would open up communities, local level governments and districts and ensure people, locals and visitors see more of the country and experience exchanges with rural Papua New Guineans, the keepers of traditions and cultural practices.
“We must work together and keep this very important wealth,” Kilanda said.
“When all this renewable resources run out, culture is one of the biggest wealth this country has.
“We must be very proud that we have a unique wealth in this country.
“Nowhere in this world is there a culture like ours,
“It is unique, diverse and authentic, it is not made up.”