Tourism ministry supports mask festival with K60,000

The National National
The different masks on show during the Aulu Nakamutmut cultural mask festival launch in Akonga village, West New Britain, last week. – Picture supplied

THE Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has supported a new mask festival with K60,000 to develop and promote it into a major tourism attraction.
Minister Isi Henry Leonard said this during the launch of the Aulu Nakamutmut cultural mask festival in remote Akonga village in the Bariai area of Kandrian-Gloucester in West New Britain last week.
He said the aim was for the event to be held annually.
Leonard said financial support from his ministry would be met by the Tourism Promotion Authority (K50,000) and National Cultural Commission (K10,000).
He said it was important for the Bariai people to work in partnership with major stakeholders, including the national and provincial governments, district and the local level government.