PNG story festival begins ahead of 50th Independence anniversary

NCD Secondary school students preparing for Saturday's PNG story festival that will be held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium (NBC News)

Schools within the National Capital District are gearing up to take part in the official start of a month-long cultural show, which is set to begin this Saturday.

The PNG story event will showcase the country's rich diversity, voices and stories of all regions, starting with the Southern region.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop launched the program this morning saying this lead up activities is aimed to build up momentum setting the pace for the main 50th independence anniversary celebrations this September.

The event is supported by the national events committee, which will run for four Saturdays, beginning with the Southern Region on Saturday 5th, 12th for the New Guinea Islands [NGI], 19th July Highlands Region, and 26th for the Momase Region.

The month-long celebration will also feature story telling, string band performances and traditional dances and ritual performances.

The PNG story event is set to be one of the largest cultural gatherings in the lead up to the PNG Golden Jubilee.