The annual internationally renowned Mt. Hagen Cultural Show will this year mark its 50^th anniversary and will celebrate the significant millstone in style with the support of new title sponsors Digicel.

Taking place at Kagamuga on 12 to 14 August, the Mount Hagen Show is one of PNG’s largest Cultural Festivals with more than 50 tribes from the Western Highlands proudly showcasing their diverse and rich heritage and centuries old traditions through singsing, performance, dance and music.

The 2011 Digicel Mt Hagen Cultural Show is expected to be the biggest Show ever, with 100 singsing groups from all every province in PNG with 70 mini singsing groups from the Western Highlands Province alone. Close to 50,000 spectators are set to converge on the show grounds for the three-day festival. There will be a huge contingent also from the Western Highlands with 14 districts represented.

Members of the Mt. Hagen Cultural Show Committee, representative from the Mt. Hagen Tourism Authority, performers and representatives from major sponsor Digicel were among guests at the official launch of the 2011 Digicel Mt. Hagen Cultural which took place on Monday at the Hotel Kimininga, Mt. Hagen.

Announcing the new partnership with the Hagen Cultural Show Committee, Digicel’s Marena Sansan said “Digicel strongly believes in the importance of reinvesting back into our local communities through sponsorship of sport, music and cultural initiatives. As PNG’s leading communications provider we are very proud to be able to contribute to the development of this massively important cultural showpiece for the Highlands and all of PNG. This one event captures and showcases so much of our unique, rich and colourful traditions and heritage. We will work with the Show Committee to help bring this amazing event to more people as the Show celebrates 50 years and looks ahead to 50 more.”

Mr. Samuel Angip, Chairman for Mt. Hagen Show Committee said “The Mt. Hagen Cultural Show is a jewel in PNG’s rich cultural calendar providing a major boost to the local regional both in terms of our pride and confidence in who we are as Papua New Guineans and to the local economy as tourists flock to enjoy the unique event. The Committee and the hundreds of performers have been working for months in the build up to this our 50^th Cultural Show to ensure the three day festival will be a huge celebration of our culture for the performers and the the local community. We are very grateful to Digicel for being a major sponsor of the event as it has helped us greatly in organizing the event and has greatly helped our communities in the Western Highlands Province”.

ENDS