The heartbeat of Central Province resonated through Bereina on Friday 11th September 2026, as a big crowd gathered for Day One of the Central Music Arts and Culture Festival (CMACF). 

The opening day delivered a vibrant fusion of traditional dance, modern sounds, local SME displays, and vital community outreach, setting up a celebration of heritage in motion.

Beyond the cultural showcases, the festival ground featured an array of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) stalls and key government and commodity boards.

Representatives from the Papua New Guinea Cocoa Board, the National Fisheries Authority, and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) were present, carrying out public awareness campaigns and engaging directly with community members throughout the event.

​Welcoming visitors and dignitaries, Kairuku District Administrator Henry Oa expressed gratitude to Central Governor Rufina Peter and the Provincial Administration for selecting Kairuku to host the landmark festival. Mr. Oa also conveyed apologies on behalf of Kairuku MP and Minister for Energy, Hon. Peter Namea Isoaimo, who was unable to attend due to official duties at the APEC meeting in China.

​"This festival is not just about music and dancing; it is about our heritage and showing PNG and the world our beauty and talent," Mr. Oa stated. "Unity is what binds us together."

Echoing these thoughts, Acting Provincial Administrator Bala Kapa delivered a poignant challenge to both the older and younger generations, stressing the importance of cultural preservation in a changing world.

"To the older generation, our elders: please do not take your knowledge to the grave," Mr. Kapa urged.

"Teach our children the songs, teach them the meaning of the tattoos, teach them how to make tapa, how to carve canoes, and how to speak our Motu, Roro, and Mekeo languages. You are our library, if you close, we lose everything."

Addressing the youth, Mr. Kapa encouraged them to draw strength from their heritage. He urged them to stand with confidence and never feel ashamed of their identity, noting that despite rapid technological advancements, real power lies in celebrating culture and learning through music and the arts.

​Formally declaring the festival open, Central Governor Rufina Peter commended the youth, local leaders, and the organizing committee for bringing the vision to life.

​"This festival exists because of you," Governor Peter told the crowd. 

"It is your color, your song, and your strength that makes Central Province shine. The festival is more than an event—it is memory. It is the drumbeat of our ancestors speaking to us today."

She called on everyone to honor the past while celebrating the present before officially launching the festivities.

​The opening day concluded with high-energy musical performances that had the audience dancing late into the afternoon. Legendary Gaire musician Hitsy Golu headlined the lineup, captivating the audience alongside popular acts including Martin Rawali, Igo Otto of Rearea, the Kanakas of Erima, the Rapids of Sogeri, and Bereina’s own Iva Ovia and the Vmates, who closed out an unforgettable day one.

​The Central Music Arts and Culture Festival continues through the weekend in Bereina.