Students given role at mask festival

 By ABIGAIL APINA 

THE National Mask Festival and Warwagira this year will have 55 students in East New Britain working as officials, according to the organising committee.

This was revealed on Wednesday during the sponsor’s night.

A committee spokesman said they decided to recruit students to help them gain work experience and assist in building their confidence in dealing with the public.

It is looking at getting students from Kokopo schools and has begun awareness at Kokopo Business College and Kokopo Secondary School.

Digicel PNG is the major sponsor this year.

The festival, which used to run over nine days, will be reduced to five this year, starting with the Digicel National Mask Festival and ending with the Warwagira.

The spokesman said the events were switched because it wanted to start off on a high note and maintain energy and excitement for the tourists and locals during the five days.

There will also be an area for children, a food court, a corporate court, cultural village, restricted performance arena, photography area, spectator area and a health and wellbeing stall to be headed by the provincial health manager Nicholas Larme.

All facilities at the venue will have access to water, electricity and security.

The spokesman said the aim was to retain the festival in East New Britain to ensure that corporate sponsors and the local community could support it annually.