Arawa prepares for Bougainville day
Arawa Town will come alive next week as the former Bougainville Capital commemorates Bougainville Day in style on June 15.
The initiative is largely a communal effort without government support with backing by the local business houses and the Kieta District Administration.
The celebrations are aimed at encouraging economic recovery, reconciliation and celebrating Bougainville’s achievements on its path to the referendum and its ultimate political goal; independence.
Chairman of the Central Bougainville Events Committee and Kieta District Executive Manager Tonny Moera said over the years there was never much emphasis on the celebrations.
“Bougainville Day was just another public holiday in Arawa and most parts of Bougainville despite the date being a key aspect of the autonomous arrangement we enjoy today,” Mr Moera said.
Mr Moera said that previous celebrations in Arawa were low key and observed only by government officials with an almost sombre mood.
“This event should be a celebration of Bougainville’s successful journey to self-determination while paying homage to the courage and resilience of our leaders,” Moera said.
“It must also serve as a means of educating younger Bougainvilleans on the significance of our political history from the tumultuous years of the Bougainville Crisis to the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement,” Moera said.
“Our children must learn to appreciate sacrifices that were made and they must have a sense of pride of our motherland, Bougainville,” he adds.
This year’s Bougainville Day in Arawa being a community initiative seeks to engage a larger audience with not just Central Bougainvilleans but include visitors from other districts and the country.
The Central Bougainville Events Committee has already planned and successfully fundraised for the event which will include, live bands, gospel groups, traditional dances and even go as far as including reconciliations and awareness on the referendum.
Schools in the district will also participate through floats, children’s’ traditional dances, a Referendum Song Competition and other social events. There will also be many Stalls and many other fundraising activities for the general public to take part it in. All the activities will focus on promoting unity and the appreciation of Bougainville’s political journey in preparation for the referendum in 2019.
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