🎖️ 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.
🎨 Join us for the POM City Markets on Saturday, 5th April at the National Museum & Art Gallery! 🏛️✨
This vibrant community event brings together local artisans, entrepreneurs, and food vendors 🍜🛍️, offering a unique shopping and cultural experience.
Browse handcrafted goods 🎨, enjoy delicious local cuisine 🍲, and immerse yourself in the creative spirit of Papua New Guinea.
With live entertainment 🎶 and a family-friendly atmosphere 👨👩👧👦, the POM City Markets are the perfect way to support local businesses and celebrate the rich heritage of our city.
Don’t miss out—come and experience the best of POM! 🎉🌺
Contact: Pascoe Promotions: phone +675 7906-5091 email mariem@pascoegroup.com facebook https://www.facebook.com/pomcitymarkets
🎨 Night Markets is a popular monthly craft market at the Harbourside Precinct, Down Town, Port Moresby.
Market goers will find an array of amazing Papua New Guinean arts, crafts and fashion items on sale.
Enjoy the live-band entertainment, or dine at one of the nearby restaurants. The beautiful views of Fairfax Harbour are always a treat for the Harbourside promenader.
Contact: POM City Markets Pascoe Promotions: phone +675 7906-5091 email mariem@pascoegroup.com facebook https://www.facebook.com/pomcitymarkets
🎨 Explore the Most Unique Craft Market in Port Moresby! Every first-Saturday of the month, 8 AM to 2 PM.
Step into history at the Moresby Arts Theatre’s Craft Market – the most budget-friendly choice for Papua New Guinean artisans. Uncover treasures and unique finds, all made possible through Moresby Arts Theatre’s commitment to supporting local talent.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of MAT with live musical performances. Experience the fusion of melodies, adding a rhythmic charm to your souvenir shopping experience.
Why Choose MAT’s Craft Market?
Save the date and bring the whole family! See you at the heart of culture, creativity, and community.
Like and follow the Moresby Arts Theatre Facebook page for updates.
🕯️ 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.
The East New Britain Shell Money festival will be held in Kokopo, at the Malapau Beach Front.
Tolai shell money in East New Britain Province is known as ‘tabu’. This traditional currency is still in use today, and is a very important feature of Tolai cultural ceremony, especially funerary rituals. Tabu defines status and social order, as well as strengthens kinship ties in the Tolai society of East New Britain.
Celebrate Tolai tabu culture in Kokopo this September! This year’s theme is: “Promoting, Safeguarding Tabu, the Source of our Strength“.
Festival highlights include:
– Kinavai performances by Tubuans
– Traditional Tolai performances
– Sharing of shellmoney
– Displaying of cultural items
– Students engagement in Tabu competition
– Threading and coiling of Tabu
– Tabu crushing race
– Canoe racing
For booth registration and the event program, please contact the event organizers: enbsf2020@gmail.com or richardtapil.9@gmail.com; +675 7449-4650 / 7952-9102
📸: Photos by East New Britain Tourism Authority, Rabaul Historical Tours and Colin Taimbari.
🎖️ 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
The Tama’ah Festival celebrates a beloved local cuisine of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville called Tamatama.
Tamatama is either made up of banana, taro, casava or sago – wrapped in fresh banana leaves and cooked in coconut milk over an open fire.
Festival visitors will be given a rare opportunity to see and taste a variety of traditionally prepared and cooked Tamatama from all over the Autonomous Region of Bougainville – a treat for food lovers.
The festival will also showcase traditional dancing, plus arts and crafts from Bougainville.
For tours and accommodation, contact: Bougainville Experience Tours, email bougtours@hotmail.com, mobile +675 73656050 / Central Bougainville Tourism Association, mobile +675 7374-7028
2024 Tama Festival in Arawa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville
The Lagaip Sangai Festival returns in 2024 to Enga Province!
Particular to this part of Enga is the Sangai – a traditional initiation ritual for young Engan men involving sacred acts, songs and dances. Young male Engan adolescents retreat into the jungle for a week to undergo special initiation ceremonies to prepare them for a life away from their parents. After initiation they return to the village, and are welcomed by joyous dancing and feasting.
This will be a rare treat for event-goers to witness first-hand the sacred Sangai dances of Enga.
For bookings and further information, call +675 7136-7067