TOARE, Gulf Province — The Toare Mask Festival has been successfully revived through a collaboration between TotalEnergies, the National Cultural Commission (NCC), and the Gulf Provincial Government. The two-day cultural event, held on 12-13 July, marked the 20th anniversary of the festival and the official opening of the Toare Cultural Centre.
First established in 2005, the festival was celebrated annually until 2014. It was revived in 2022 and continues to grow in prominence as a signature cultural event for the Gulf Province.
This year’s celebrations began on 12 July 2025 with an official launch attended by Gulf Provincial Administrator Clement Tare, TotalEnergies Managing Director Arnaud Berthet, and European Union Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Jacques Fradin, along with other distinguished guests.
The following day saw the formal opening of the newly constructed Toare Cultural Centre, attended by Thomas Opa, member for Kerema Open and Minister for Finance; Alex Puki, research manager at the NCC (representing Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda); and Doris Apuka, representing UNESCO.
In his remarks, Minister Opa urged the local community to take ownership of the festival, stressing that it is not merely a cultural event but a vital expression of identity.
“We want the Toare Mask Festival to attract tourists from outside Papua New Guinea,” Minister Opa said. “The challenge over the past four to five years has been introducing international visitors to our unique culture through this traditional mask celebration.”
He also encouraged communities to preserve traditional knowledge and artefacts through the new facility.
“All the masks from the villages practising the mask culture must be stored at the cultural centre. We must understand the origins and purpose of each mask — this is an important event for us and must be promoted,” he added.
This year’s festival marked two decades since its inception and a major milestone in cultural preservation. The Toare Mask tradition is now undergoing nomination for inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List.
Following concerns about authenticity and the preservation of traditional masks, the NCC deployed two research officers to document the types of masks, their cultural significance, and the traditions associated with them. This research formed the basis for the formal nomination to UNESCO.
The Toare Mask tradition is the first from Papua New Guinea — and the wider Pacific region — to be nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO ICH List, a significant recognition of the country’s rich intangible heritage.
To support the nomination, the Toare Cultural Centre was established. Initial funding of USD 10,000 (PGK 41,169.20) was provided by UNESCO, followed by PGK 20,000 from the NCC as the state party. The Gulf Provincial Government later contributed an additional PGK 80,000 to expand the facility.
Speaking at the event, Alex Puki of the NCC said: “The National Cultural Commission has never partnered with an international organisation like UNESCO to build a cultural centre in a province. This is the first time such an initiative has been undertaken.”
“This achievement reflects our commitment to preserving and promoting Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage at the community level,” Puki said. “Through this collaboration with UNESCO and the Gulf Provincial Government, we are not only safeguarding the Toare Mask tradition but also creating a permanent space for cultural learning.”
The Toare Cultural Centre is expected to play a vital role in cultural education, particularly for younger generations. Traditionally, masks were stored in family homes, where they were vulnerable to damage or loss. The new centre offers a secure and respectful space for their preservation
