WHAT’S AHEAD The official 50th anniversary program was still unconfirmed at the time of press in late July, including attendance by King Charles III, invited by PM James Marape to be the guest of honour. Details below are a guide only. September 1-7: PNG Defence Force Week & Launch of Operation Planti Balus humanitarian airlift. Planes and helicopters from bilateral partners (Australia, New Zealand, France) will help the PNG and provincial governments and NGOs to airlift medicines, building materials, educational supplies and other cargo to rural areas from Sept 3-5. The military week to also include: ship visits/open days from partner navies, march pasts, band performances, static displays of aircraft/vehicles, and a mini tattoo. 7: Motu Koitabu Assembly Prayer Day . Indigenous landowners will pray for the 50th anniversary and walk from Ela Beach to Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, ending with a church service open to all. Early/mid Sept: Presentation of Colours to 1st & 2nd RPIR (PNGDF) 12-13: National Orchid & Flower Show , Parliament Haus. “Blossoming PNG: 50 Years of Growth, Unity & Beauty”. Hosted by the PNG Orchid Society. 12-15: Amazing Port Moresby Festival – Unity Walk and Music Concert The Unity Walk will kick off the Independence weekend on Friday, with floats from businesses and different cultural communities joining the public for a parade from Murray Barracks to Ela Beach where there will be activities and market stalls. The Music Concert will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium over three days, with international artists (yet to be announced) to headline. Various cultural, music and arts shows will be held over the weekend at Ela Beach, Murray Barracks, Unagi Oval, UPNG and PAU. Regional universities Divine Word (Madang), Goroka and UniTech (Lae) are also hosting shows. 13-14: Pasin Tumbuna (Day of our Ancestors) cultural showcase, Port Moresby Nature Park. Live demonstrations of sago-making, bilum-
August 26: National Repentance Day (public holiday; capital events TBC) 30: Golden Toana Gala (Teased as ‘PNG’s most glamorous night’ on social media but date/details TBC). Toana is a Motuan word meaning ‘symbol’ or ‘sign’ so a black-tie gold themed evening honouring symbolic moments and figures of the past 50 years is expected
weaving, claypot-firing and local food preparation. Also garamut drumming, face painting and food tastings.
Dawn: Flag Raising Ceremony , Independence Hill, Parliament precinct. Singing of the national anthem and official flag ceremony with the PM and dignitaries present. PNG50 Choir. Thousands of students will line Independence Boulevard in front of Parliament Haus, creating a PNG50 formation to sing the national anthem and the song “Our Land”. Opening of the new National & Supreme Courts His Royal Highness King Charles is scheduled to do the honours, followed by a royal tour of the five-storey Waigani National Court Complex Re-enactment of the Australian Flag Lowering & PNG50 Spectacular Hubert Murray Stadium This recreation of the 1975 handover when the Australian flag was symbolically lowered will be an emotion-charged highlight of the day’s program, which will also include handing over the military colours. PM James Marape will address the nation, there will be evening entertainment and the day will close with fireworks. 22: Governor’s Independence Ball TBC October Date TBC: Journey Through the Lens: 50 Years of PNG (Photo Exhibition) Date TBC: PNG50 Gospel Concert
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