MRDC continues partnership with Kutubu Festival

In an effort to help restore normalcy to the lives of the Kutubu people after the devastating earthquake in February this year, the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) is throwing its support behind the annual Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival. 

This will be the festival’s eighth year running, and the local host are determined to make it happen despite the damage and devastation they suffered.

Daga Village where the festival is hosted lost its traditional Kutubu Long haus, which is one of the star attractions at this festival, along with many homes in the earthquake. Despite setbacks, the locals with the help of the festival organising committee have rebuilt the long haus and their homes to prepare to host the festival and its visitors. 

This year’s festival will be held from the 21st- 23rd of September, 2018 with the theme, “Yumi mas kirapim bek yumi yet” (We must raise ourselves) which calls for all earthquake affected communities to come together and strive for restoration and resiliency after the earthquake. 

MRDC managing Director, Mr Augustine Mano in presenting a cheque of fifty thousand kina to the Festival Committee said MRDC was very proud to support the festival this year in particular as it was a special one. 

“This year’s festival only goes to show the resilience of our people, who have suffered the devastating impact of an earthquake yet have the strength and courage to pick themselves up, to restore their lives just six months since the quake hit”.

Photo Caption: MRDC’s Imbi Tagune presenting the K50, 000 dummy cheque to the Foi Dancers from Kutubu at the MRDC haus in downtown today. The Foi’s are here in Port Moresby to promote the festival in September.