Popondetta festival keeps culture alive through music, dance and local talent

International reggae sensation Anslom Nakikus gracing the stage with his bangers (Image: Supplied)

For three days, the streets of Popondetta came alive with music, dance and culture as communities gathered to celebrate the fourth annual Popondetta Arts and Music Festival.

Held from September 4 to 6, the festival brought together local musicians, dancers, cultural performers and visiting artists, creating a platform for people to showcase their talents while keeping Oro’s cultural identity alive.

For many local artists, the festival is more than a weekend of entertainment.

It provides an opportunity for emerging musicians and performers to step onto a bigger stage, connect with audiences and gain exposure while celebrating the culture and traditions of their communities.

International Solomon Islands artist Sean Rii joined some of PNG’s well-known performers, including Macdonald Taylor, Anslom Nakikus and Tarvin Toune, to entertain festival-goers.

The G-Force Dance Crew from Port Moresby also added colour and energy to the event with dynamic performances that captivated the Popondetta crowd.

G-Force dancing crew entertaining the crowd at Popondetta festival *(Image: Supplied)*

But beyond the headline performances, it was the participation of local artists that gave the festival its cultural heartbeat.

Local musicians and performers from Oro took to the stage with old favourites and new songs, demonstrating the depth of talent within the province and giving younger performers an opportunity to see that their creativity can take them beyond their communities.

The festival also serves as a reminder that cultural preservation does not only happen in museums or through traditional ceremonies.

It can happen through music, dance, storytelling, performance and the active participation of young people.

By bringing generations together through the arts, the festival is helping create space for local culture to be shared, appreciated and passed on.

The National Cultural Commission, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has recognised and supported the event, which was first initiated in 2023.

Popondetta MP Richard Masere joined the celebrations with his people (Image: Supplied)

This year's festival was fully funded through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, through the National Cultural Commission, with support from the Popondetta District Development Authority under the leadership of local MP Richard Masere.

The partnerships have helped strengthen the festival as a platform for cultural expression, tourism and the development of local creative talent.

As the Popondetta Arts and Music Festival continues to grow, its significance extends beyond the stage.

It is becoming a space where people can celebrate who they are, where artists can tell their stories through their craft, and where younger generations can experience and carry forward the culture of Oro.

For Popondetta, the festival is not simply getting bigger and better but it is becoming part of the community's effort to keep its culture, creativity and identity alive for the next generation.