Rabaul Frangipani Festival 2016 ends without eruption

by FRANKIY KAPIN

DAY four and the last day of the Frangipani festival ends today in Rabaul town and a big thank you to Mount Tavurvur for keeping quiet.

The volcanic mountain Tavurvur kept quiet over the weekend as over 7 000 people “kibung”-gathered in Rabaul town to witness the Rabaul Historical Society’s Frangipani Festival “Gogo Cola” float parade.

The massive turnout witnessed hundreds of floats promoting this year’s theme “The Coconut Palm – The tree of life. Rabaul came alive like Tavurvur volcano with one of the biggest events on ENB’s events calendar and a big thanks to the Mt Tavurvur for keeping quiet over the past three days,” says Festival Chairwoman Susan Mcgrade.

The four winners of the parade were BSP with the best cultural float, Rabaul town clinic for the best private community float, Agmark Shipping for the most Entertaining Float and ENB Development Corporation (ENBDC) for the best Corporate Float.
The consolation prize went to St Francis Xavier Parish for the replica of the St Francis Xavier Cathedral and special mention to RAMs shipping for their very entertaining input says Ms Mcgrade.

“As this is a purely community based volunteer run event, the organizers of the Rabaul historical society are so thankful for the many sponsors who give to the event year after year so the event can access all programs which are totally free to the public,” she said.

Ms Mcgrade said that the festival tries to incorporate cultural, entertainment and historical content in the hope of highlighting all that is great in and about Rabaul.

She said this is in conjunction with the society’s efforts of keeping history alive and encouraging tourism to Rabaul and ENB.

The festival took place over two Days and included a traditional Tolai Kinavai, a Canoe race around the famous beehives, an Engini Baining Fire Dance, the Fragipani Float Parade and the Mini Warwagira.

Miss Mcgrade thanked her fantastic volunteer committee who had worked hard to put on a very professionally run festival as she looks forward to sponsors and the community alike getting together again next year for Rabaul’s 2017 Frangipani festival.

Source: Post Courier online, 19 September 2016

Rabaul Play School celebrates 41 Independence

by ELIZABETH VUVU

STUDENTS of the Rabaul Play School in East New Britain celebrated the Independence Day anniversary with a cultural show yesterday.

Headmistress Relly Manning said it was important that students promoted and appreciated the culture and tradition of their provinces.

They represented and were attired in their seven traditional groups: East New Britain, Manus, Momase, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, New Ireland, Central and Eastern Highlands.

Manning said the annual programme was to educate students to value their culture.
The students exchanged baskets with their selected partners followed by a march.
Teachers and staff had been hard at work for the past weeks with students rehearsing for the big day yesterday, watched by parents and relatives.

The school is situated at Kenabot in Kokopo town. It has more than 250 students.

Source: The National

Rabaul town to celebrate Frangipani Festival - 22nd annievrsary of Tavuvur volcanic eruptions from 15th Sept to 18th Sept, 2016

Celebrating the rebirth of Rabaul Town will be the Frangipani Festival held in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Held in September, this festival celebrates the survival of Rabaul after the 1994 twin volcanic eruptions that almost completely destroyed the Rabaul Township.

The festival is named after the “Frangipani flower” which was the first plant to blossom in the midst of the ashes and until today the sweet smell permeates the streets of Rabaul town.

East New Britain Province is gearing up for a joint celebration that is expected to start on PNG’s Independence eve on September 15 and will continue on to the 18th in collaboration with the 22nd anniversary of the twin volcanic eruptions of both Tavuvur and Vulcan.

The festivity starts with a float parade followed by dances, singsings as well as canoe races.
The event brings together locals and former Rabaul residents and visitors in the spirit of renewal and to strengthen partnership in rebuilding one of PNG’s major and historical towns.
The Frangipani Festival celebrates the rebirth of Rabaul town in East New Britain after the twin volcanic eruptions in 1994.

Named after the frangipani flower, the town’s signature bloom and the first plant to blossom in the midst of the ash, the festival brings together locals and former Rabaul residents in the spirit of renewal and to strengthen the partnerships in rebuilding one of Papua New Guinea's most beloved historical towns.

The 2016 Frangipani Festival will be held September 16th to 17th in Rabaul.
Some of the festival highlights will be cultural singsings - including the incredible Baining Fire Dance and the Tolai Whip Dance, as well as rock bands, colourful float parades, spectacular fireworks and an exciting canoe race around the famous Beehives landmark in the Simpson Harbour.

The residents of Rabaul welcome you to join them in this exciting event and watch Rabaul come alive once again like Mount Tavurvur.

For further information contact the Rabaul Historical Society via email at: rabaulmuseum@gmail.com or phone: +675 982-1999.

Rabaul Frangipani Festival 2015.

VIDEO: A short insight into the once thriving city of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Surviving 2 devastating volcanic eruptions, its people continue to return to the only home they have ever known. Shot on location in June 2015.

Source: PNG Loop & Tourism Promotion Authority.