Festival executives want Government support

By TONY PALME
EXECUTIVES of the annual Jiwaka Mountain M Festival want to see the Government give support for cultural groups and festivals that are listed under the national events calendar.
Mountain M Community Development Association secretary and festival founder James Gising said relevant authorities such as the National Cultural Commission, Tourism Promotion Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture needed to provide funding support to registered groups to host their annual events on schedule.
Gising said this at the second Jiwaka Mountain M Festival held last week at the Bunum Wo festival ground in North Waghi.
The festival saw a reasonable turnout from participating cultural groups from within Jiwaka and other Highlands provinces.
Organisations such as Digicel PNG, Fresh Produce Development Agency, non-governmental Organisation Voice For Change Jiwaka and Kumul Comedy lifted the tempo of the show.
The show committee thanked MP Dr Fabian Pok for committing K15,000 towards the festival.
Gising said Pok and his district development authority (DDA) gave K30,000 to establish the festival two years ago.
“Last year when we had our first annual festival, the DDA gave K10,000,” he said.
“We commend the DDA and our MP for the ongoing support which shows that he recognises our group’s goals, objectives and vision to promote, preserve and conserve our unique culture.
“We would like to see the same support from our Govenor Dr William Tongamp.”