Display of culture brings great pride and respect, says official

THE display of Papua New Guinea’s unique culture during a college’s cultural shows brings great pride and respect, an official says.
The Kopkop College stage cultural shows in Kavieng on Sept 14 and Port Moresby on Sept 15.
Students dressed in colourful cultural costumes made up of head dresses, grass skirts, face painting, shell necklaces and kundu drums staged a variety of performances.
Speaking at the Port Moresby Kopkop College Hall packed with parents, students and families, National Capital District Commission legal officer Patricia Solon said the display of Papua New Guinea’s unique culture brought great pride and respect.
“Today’s display of our culture in this great institution reflects the fact that PNG’s rich culture remains strong to date,” Solon said.
“I want to urge all of us to maintain the pride in our culture and seize any opportunity to display its richness and diversity.”
Solon said being part of the global community, the country faced a challenge of maintaining its cultural identity.
“I make the call today for the preservation of our culture in every way possible and such cultural events as today in particular involving all of you should encourage us to review our culture and tradition,” she said.
“Let us not forget that we have learnt the virtues of respect, patience, commitment and courage through our culture and these virtues should change our lifestyle towards life in general.”
Solon said it was encouraging to find a committed group of teachers who were willing to support and teach students despite the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
She encouraged Kopkop College students to grasp any opportunity they had today to learn and in return, give back to their families and communities.
“Each of you have something to contribute to this nation, even if the future doesn’t look clear now as to where you are going and you are sometimes confused,” she said.
“Your opportunity is today.”
The 2021 Kopkop College cultural show was themed “Commemorating PNG’s history amidst C-19”.