Mt Hagen Show draws 90 traditional groups, 500 tourists

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By ELIAS LARI
THE 60th Mt Hagen Show attracted more than 500 tourists and 90 traditional singsing groups and was opened by the Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti were among the guest.
Torres Strait dancers from Australia also took part and sky-diving added colour and thrills to the two-day event that ended yesterday at Kagamuga showgrounds.
Sir Bob encouraged Papua New Guineans to fully adapt to culture and traditions because that aspect of the country’s pride had to be passed on to future generations.
He said cultural activities attracted tourists and they had to be practised continually so that they could reveal pride and identity.
Sir Bob said that his concern was how future generations were going to adapt to the cultures.
He said once people started to take part in such activities, it would give them courage and encouraged them to maintain the standard.
“I want the future generations to maintain that standard and look back at what our ancestors taught us and how we should abide by that rule,” he said.
“I’m feeling honoured by this cultural show because it is revealing the country’s pride and identity and we have to continue maintaining that.”
He said that he was happy that tourists from overseas had come to watch the show.