PAPUA New Guinea Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Boka Kondra Wednesday welcomed Melanesian cultural leaders at a cocktail reception in Port Moresby.
“We are pleased to have friends and wantoks from our Melanesian neighbors to arrive in PNG,” the PNG Minister said.
“On behalf of the government and the people of PNG, we welcome you all to Papua New Guinea,” he said.
MSG Leaders present at the reception were the chairman of the FLNKS Ministers of Arts and Culture Yvon Faua, the director general of the MSG Secretariat Peter Farau and chairman of the MSG Arts and Culture Charles Wea.
More than 160 participants from Solomon Islanders are participating in the festival.
Mr Kondra said he was pleased to have all the MSG leaders and their delegation on time here for the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture before the official opening ceremony on Saturday.
“What a Melanesian fortnight it will be, we are ready to deliver a big event effectively and on time, it is our time to come together to celebrate.
“The Festival will be the vehicle to bring us together, to be united so we can build on strength to strength to keep our cultures alive so that our children can inherit,” he added.
Mr Kondra assured the participants that all facilities are ready in Port Moresby and satelite venues.
“I want to assure you all that the program will be trouble free as everything is in control by the government so feel free to be in PNG.
“PNG is one of the best places that you can be in with diverse cultures, music and arts just like other Melanesian nations.”
Kondra urged the MSG countries to join hands and celebrate their cultures, arts, music and traditions.
“I want to appeal to everyone to talk culture, play culture, eat culture, sleep culture and do everything culture.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of PNG, I welcome you all and look forward to making your stay an enjoyable and memorable one.”
All cultural ministers including the Prime Ministers of Vanuatu Joe Natuman and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo arrived Wednesday in the country.
They were accompanied by their delegations who will be participating at the festival of arts.
