The Kundiawa Cultural Show was formally launched by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard in Kundiawa Town, Chimbu Province last Thursday (29th June). 

In a rousing reception by singsing groups and the people led by Simbu Governor Noah Kool, they welcomed Minister Leonard who officiated at the event. 

Speaking from the provincial capital of Simbu in Kundiawa, Minister Leonard who is the Member for Samarai Murua District said that God blessed Chimbu province with many educated and knowledgeable people and it was incumbent upon these elites to now utilize the human resource to help preserve, protect and promote their culture and environment.

Caption: Minister Leonard (Left) presenting the K10,000.00 cheque by NCC to Kundiawa Gembolg MP Muguwa Dilu (center) and Simbu Governor Noah Kool (right)

He said people had to unite and work together to ensure there was a common goal to see success in their respective engagements and spaces of cultural preservation and promotion.  

Minister Leonard said Simbu held the highest mountain peak in the country that is Mt Wilhelm. 

It is an iconic tourism product and Mt Wilhelm is here to last for eternity and will remain even after all the copper and gold is finished. It will remain permanently even after we are gone. If it is packaged and monetised, Mt Wilhelm will be the biggest resource to the people of Simbu, Minister Leonard said.

He asked in his speech, why Simbu and the recognition given to a cultural show, stressing that Simbu had a rich culture and tradition that needed to be preserved, promoted and showcased.

Minister Leonard said often people took culture and traditions for granted, but in fact this was their greatest wealth, they could ever have, and it was time for the people of Simbu to monetise their culture so that they could benefit from it if packaged and promoted well as a tourism product.&nb...