The return of the Malagan Festival to Kavieng after more than 30 years is creating a platform for local businesses, producers and communities to showcase products while strengthening New Ireland’s cultural tourism potential.
The three-day provincial festival, held under the theme “Stronim Pasin Tumbuna! Strongim Pasin Niu Aila”, brings together communities from across New Ireland for traditional rituals, dances, music, arts and crafts, food, cultural exhibitions and an agricultural show.
The festival opened with a colourful Kinavai ceremony at the Kavieng beachfront, where communities and visitors welcomed New Ireland Governor Byron Chan before activities moved to the Kopkop Showground.
Governor Chan said the revival of the festival was significant, as the Malagan Festival had previously been one of New Ireland’s major cultural events before disappearing for more than three decades.
“The festival provides an important opportunity for New Ireland communities to come together and celebrate the customs, traditions and traditional knowledge systems that have shaped the province’s identity,” Chan said.
From a business perspective, the festival is providing local entrepreneurs and community groups with an opportunity to sell and promote traditional arts and crafts, cultural products, local food and other locally produced goods.
Business houses are also participating through exhibitions, while cultural groups and choirs are contributing to the three-day programme, attracting visitors from within and outside the province.
The revival comes as New Ireland continues to position its unique cultural heritage as an asset for tourism and local economic activity. Increased visitor participation in cultural events can create opportunities for accommodation providers, transport operators, food vendors, handicraft producers and other small businesses.
The festival also incorporates an agricultural show, providing producers with an avenue to display local agricultural products and potentially connect with markets and customers.
A major announcement during the festival was the decision to establish a monument honouring the late Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan, founding father of New Ireland and former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.
Chan said the statue would be erected within the Provincial Assembly precinct as a permanent tribute to Sir Julius Chan’s contribution to New Ireland and the nation.
“The statue will be erected at the Provincial Assembly precinct as a permanent tribute to his contribution to the province and the nation,” he said.
The Malagan Festival continues through Saturday, with further cultural presentations and community activities planned.
Meanwhile, the official launch of the Sir Julius Chan Foundation is scheduled for Saturday at the Chan family residence at Huris in Namatanai District.
The festival’s return marks not only a cultural revival for New Ireland but also an opportunity to strengthen community-based enterprise and develop cultural tourism as part of the province’s broader economic potential.
