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Celebrate Independence at the Inaugural Hiri-Koiari Trade & Cultural Festival!
Dates: September 14th to 16th, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Edai Town, Hiri-Koiari District, Central Province
Join us for a vibrant three-day event celebrating the rich heritage of the Hiri Trade! The Hiri-Koiari Trade & Cultural Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy cultural exchanges, promote economic development, and unite the Hiri-Koiari and National Capital District communities.
Celebrate the modern Hiri Trade and be part of an event that honors tradition while looking toward the future. Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable experience filled with culture, community, and celebration!
Proudly Supported by: Edai Town, SME Corporation, ExxonMobil, and more.
Mark your calendars and come be a part of this historic festival!
Get ready for a historic moment as Papua New Guinea welcomes Pope Francis! This once-in-a-lifetime event offers a unique opportunity to witness the Pope’s powerful messages of peace, unity, and environmental stewardship. Join the nation in celebrating this momentous occasion as Pope Francis brings his global message of hope and compassion to our shores.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of history. Experience the vibrancy of our culture and the warmth of our communities as we come together to honour this significant visit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this is your opportunity to engage with a transformative leader who inspires millions around the world.
Prepare for a series of unforgettable events that will leave a lasting impact on your heart and soul. Be there to witness Pope Francis as he addresses the nation, meets with our leaders, and shares his vision for a more just and sustainable future.
PAPAL VISIT 2024
Lord, teach us to pray LK 11:1
6th September 2024
Candlelight welcome for the Holy Father
7th September 2024
Street Ministry and Callan Services gathering
@ Caritas Technical Secondary School
Meeting clergy, religious and catechists
@ Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Boroko
8th September 2024
Eucharistic Celebration
@ Sir John Guise Stadium, Waigani
Visit to Vanimo
9th September 2024
Youth Festival
@ Sir John Guise Stadium, Waigani
For the full itinerary, click on this link.
Prepare yourself and your families for this Spiritual event.
Register and collect your passes from your parish priest.
Every event is free of charge.
Papua New Guinea celebrates its 49th Independence Day anniversary this 2024.
Join in the festivities by wearing our Papua New Guinea flag colors – red, white, yellow and black.
Official Independence Day anniversary activities begins with the ‘Flag Raising Ceremony’ at Independence Hill, near the National Parliament House in Port Moresby. Residents and visitors in Port Moresby gather at dawn to witness government officials raise PNG’s national flag to commemorate the country’s independence in 1975.
Papua New Guinea’s history was marred by colonial imperialism since its discovery by European traders. Colonial PNG was known as ‘Papua’ and ‘New Guinea’ – both were a combined territory of Australia since 1906. The territory of ‘Kaiser-Wilhelmsland’ was surrendered to Australia and British rule after World War One, and renamed as ‘New Guinea’ – all the names of the German ruled islands were also changed, e.g. New Britain, New Ireland, etc. Visit our National Museum & Art Gallery to learn more about our fascinating history.
🎖️ Join the residents of Rabaul in East New Britain Province to commemorate the ANZAC heroes that served during the Battle of Rabaul, World War II New Guinea Campaign.
The event is supported by the Rabaul Historical Society in partnership with the Australian High Commission and New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby.
The dawn service usually begins at 0500 hours at the RSL Cenotaph along Mango Avenue in Rabaul Town. Accommodation, Tours, Transport and tickets to the Gunfire Breakfast can be arranged through The Rabaul Hotel.
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) and the residents of Rabaul endured a devastating defeat from Japanese forces during the Battle of Rabaul. The tragic stories are still remembered and retold through the war monuments, relics, museums, including former residents and descendants of those that lived through the terrible war that ravaged one of Papua New Guinea’s most beloved towns.
Although ANZAC Day is no longer a recognized public holiday in PNG, special memorial services are still held every year on April 25th to commemorate the contribution of the ANZACs to Papua New Guinea’s history.
🎖️ The ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Bomana War Cemetery is Papua New Guinea’s biggest dedication service to honor the ANZACs and the local militia and civilians serving Allied Forces during the world wars.
The Bomana War Cemetery is located on the outskirts of Port Moresby – less than a half-hour drive from the capital’s main central business district.
The service begins at about 4:30 am. There will be ample security provided by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the PNG Defence Force. Transport can be arranged through Kokoda Track and Port Moresby tour operators.
The Gunfire Breakfast is usually organised by the Australian High Commission of Port Moresby. The gunfire breakfast tickets must be obtained/purchased before the event and is arranged by the Australian Returned Services League Port Moresby Branch.
Papua New Guinea’s relationship with Australia and New Zealand extends to the colonial era, World War I and World War II. The most memorable being World War II, when numerous battles raged across PNG – from Kokoda Track to Rabaul. Many Papua New Guinean’s served as service men and women, as well as labourers assisting the allied forces, especially the legendary ANZACs – the Australian and New Zealand defense forces.
Although ANZAC Day is no longer a public holiday in PNG, special memorial services are still held every year on April 25th to commemorate the contribution of the ANZACs to our nations history.
For updates and further information Like and Follow the Australian Returned Services League Port Morebsy Branch on Facebook.
🎖️ Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea is observed every July 23rd to commemorate the services of the members of the nation’s armed forces who participated during World War One, World War Two, and in general peace keeping and law and order engagements within the country and abroad.
In the nation’s capital of Port Moresby, Remembrance Day will be officially observed at the Ela Beach Remembrance Memorial Park.
War veterans, the PNG Defense Force, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the PNG Correctional Services will be participating in the Remembrance Day parade march along Healy Parade.
State officials like the Prime Minister and the Governor-General are usually present at the event to make an official address. This is then followed by a dedication service.
This 2025 will mark the 44th Anniversary of PNG’s National Remembrance Day of observance.
Remembrance Day Programme – Remembrance Park, Ela Beach, Port Moresby
07:00 am | Arrival of Master of Ceremony
08:00 am | Arrival of VIP’s and invited Guests
08:30 am | March on by Disciplinary Forces
08.35 am | Arrival of Parade Host
08:40 am | Arrival of Principal Guest
08:45 am | Arrival of the Governor General of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
08:50 am | Catafalque Party moves into position in front of the Monument
09:00 am | Welcome remarks by the Master of Ceremony
09.05 am | Prayer of Invocation
09:10 am | Bible Readings
09:20 am | The Lord’s Prayer
09:30 am | Keynote Address to the Nation by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea
09:40 am | Police Band with Choir group
09:45 am | Laying of Wreaths
09:50 am | ODE (All to stand), an Ex-Serviceman recites the ‘Ode’
09:55 am | Last Post and One Minute Silence
10:00 am | Rouse
10:05 am | National Anthem
10:10 am | The Benediction
10:15 am | Catafalque Party Dismounts (All to stand). The Catafalque Party march-off)
10:20 am | Departure of Guests of Honor
10:25 am | Departure of Principal Guest
10:30 am | Departure of Parade Host
10:35 am | Announcement by Master of Ceremony
10:40 am | Guard March-off
**Program ends
Join the Rabaul Historical Society in East New Britain Province, as they pause with the rest of the nation to remember our unnamed local heroes who were involved in the World War efforts that swept across the territory in the 1910’s and 1940’s.
Rabaul Town, is steeped in military history and the legacy of this difficult time in our nation’s narrative survives in memorials, museums and the generation that came after.
Discover and appreciate the memory of those who served, sacrificed and survived this Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea – #LestWeForget.
🕯️ During the final week of February, the nation of Papua New Guinea sets aside a special day to commemorate the enduring memory of its first prime minister and ‘father of the nation’, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare (1936 – 2021).
The late grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was one of Papua New Guinea’s longest serving prime ministers, serving for 17-years over three separate terms, until his retirement in 2017.
Papua New Guinea continues to mourn the late Grand Chief’s passing three-years ago, his life’s work in the service of his country has left an indelible mark on many Papua New Guineans.
The late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s place of interment has become a pilgrimage site for many Papua New Guineans visiting Wewak. The site is now a landmark in the East Sepik Province, known as the Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Tomb.
The National Museum and Art Gallery’s Independens Haus in Down Town, Port Moresby, also provides an in-depth look at the political history, particularly its nationalist movement, in which the late Grand Chief was at the forefront – along with other notable greats of Papua New Guinea’s pre-Independence movement.
For visits to the Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Tomb contact, WhatsApp 8160-4874 or call +675 7889-8166. Follow the Sir Michael Somare Legacy Page on Facebook.
To visit the Independens Haus, contact the National Museum and Art Gallery, call +675 325-4205. Visit the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery website.
🎖️ Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day or Kokoda Day is commemorated every 3rd of November, at the Kokoda Station in Papua New Guinea’s Northern Province.
The day honors the native men who served as labourers for the Allied forces during the World War Two Kokoda Campaign. These legendary men were given the endearing name of ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ – a term from a famous poem written by an Australian army officer during the WWII New Guinea campaign – an unforgettable period in Papua New Guinea’s history.
There were an estimated 37,000 Papuans and New Guineans who served during the World War Two campaign – many of whom remain nameless, only observed and recorded through war footage captured from the war.
Kokoda Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day begins with a wreath-laying ceremony and traditional ‘singsing’ at the Kokoda Memorial Field.
For further information, contact the Kokoda Track Authority: email jwargirai@kokodatrackauthority.org or the Australian High Commission in PNG call +675 70900100
Read more: Remembering the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
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