Culture appreciation, precursor to tourism rise: Minister

Caption: Minister Tkatchenko viewing an exhibition of kundu drums at the National Museum.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 28, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT is the focus aimed for by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Justin Tkatchenko, when announcing the amalgamation of the National Cultural Commission to the National Museum and Art Gallery on Tuesday.

The minister praised the work done by the national museum to safeguard traditional history, but also elaborated on the importance of not only safeguarding it but to also share with future generations and the outside world for more appreciation.

Something he said was the precursor to the decision to tie in the cultural commission with the national museum.

“For me as your minister for tourism arts and culture it is important to me that we embrace cultures, embrace our traditions, and we never forget who we are as Papua New Guineans,” Minister Tkatchenko said.

“There is a whole new ball game now under me as the minister. We have to promote who we are and what we are. We have such a diverse and rich culture hidden away that we have to expose to everybody, and that then promotes tourism as well.”

“Attracting the tourists to come and see our wonderful culture and tradition of Papua New Guineans.”

He added that a focus of his role centres on looking back to ancestral traditional practices to sell the country to the tourism market with the support of the National Government.

“It is going to be a lot of fun because for me as minister it has always been a dream for me to be in this position- I have the love for it, I have the drive to do something special for our country in this regard.”

“When you have something naturally it is not hard to promote it. When you have to make something up then you have difficulties.”

“This is a hidden gem and it is my job through the Tourism Promotion Authority and through the Office of Tourism Arts and Culture, through the director of the National Museum and Art Gallery to lift this up and give it a whole different feeling where we can be proud of who we are and where we've come from,” he added.