After over a decade of not hosting a cultural show, the current Student Representative Council (SRC) of the country's oldest all boys school- De La Salle Secondary School, are reviving it with this year's event aimed at raising K350,000 for much needed infrastructure improvements.
The cultural show is scheduled for July 18, 2026, and is being organised by the current Student Representative Council (SRC) as part of its "Give Back to the School" program. The event will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium under the theme "United In Culture, Strong In Brotherhood."
The event marks the return of a major cultural gathering that has not been held at the school since the 2016 Lasallian Cultural Show involving Jubilee Secondary School, La Salle Technical College, and other Lasallian institutions from across the country. Before that, the school's previous cultural show was held in 2014 and organised by the SRC then.
In an interview with De La Salle Secondary School Principal Ms. Annette Ingirin, she told PNG HAUSBUNG that the initiative reflects the students' commitment to leaving a lasting contribution to the school.
"The SRC has a Give Back to the School program. The purpose is to raise money to accomplish a certain project in the school," Ms. Ingirin said.
She said the students have set a fundraising target of K350,000 or more, with the main project focused on constructing covered walkways connecting various sections of the school.
"Their project involves building shelters to connect different sections of the school to each other, so when it comes to rain or sunlight, we're able to move freely and go to the classroom, and teaching and learning can continue," she said.
Ms. Ingirin said part of the funds raised will also support other priority projects, including upgrades to the school's assembly hall, which has served generations of students and continues to be used during National Examinations.
"The second reason is to complete other projects that we need to complete, such as putting a new roof on the assembly hall that's been around for more than half a century," she said.
In addition to celebrating the country’s rich cultural diversity, the event will also provide an opportunity for former students to select the new heads of the school's alumni.
Ms. Ingirin said the cultural show will serve as a time for the De La Salle alumni to establish a formal alumni leadership structure.
"They're going to elect the alumni leaders, and then all these leaders will come together and assist the school in our projects," she said.
This year's cultural show will run from 8:00am to 3:00pm and is expected to attract students, parents, alumni, businesses, and supporters from across Port Moresby and beyond.
Admission has been set at K20 for adults, K10 for students, and K5 for children under 12 years old.
Businesses and organisations are also being encouraged to participate, with SME stalls available for K200, corporate stalls for K1,000, and vehicle passes costing K30 per vehicle.
The event will showcase Papua New Guinea's cultural diversity through traditional performances, displays, food, and entertainment while supporting the school's fundraising goals.
As the countdown to July 18 begins, the return of the De La Salle Cultural Show represents more than a celebration of culture, it is a student-led effort to reconnect alumni, strengthen school spirit, and invest in projects that will benefit future generations of students for years to come.
