Kopkop College in Port Moresby city hosted a vibrant cultural food event on Friday, August 15, highlighting the importance of heritage, unity in diversity, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing as part of the school’s celebrations for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The event, themed “United in Diversity – One Culture, One People,” is part of a three-part school-wide program designed to foster cultural appreciation among students, parents, and staff through traditional storytelling, food, and dance. Lower Secondary School Principal Frederick Raka explained that the traditional food showcase was the second event in the series, launched earlier this year. “Food plays a vital part in our culture. And food brings people together in a communal society. So, if we have to celebrate our country's independence, looking at our cultural background and tradition and values, food is at the center of any event,” said Mr. Raka. Parents and families joined the celebration by bringing a variety of traditional meals to share. Students also showcased videos demonstrating the preparation of four regional signature dishes, which were made under the guidance of teachers and family members. Parent, Martha Jaro, who has three children attending Kopkop College, praised the initiative. “I’m from Popondetta and I cooked sago and sprinkled it with coconut, sometimes we call it lamington. With the opportunity given by the school to encourage parents and kids to cook tradition meals, I am so happy that the kids have learnt different ways of cooking, have tasted different meals." “Some kids, even mine, don’t know the names of the traditional food and how it is prepared, and I thank Kopkop for such a wonderful event,” she added. Mr. Raka emphasized that the initiative goes beyond food preparation, aiming to preserve oral traditions and promote storytelling around cultural practices. “Our history has been passed on orally from generation to generation so looking at our food there is a story behind the preparation of it, for what purpose and for what intent, who prepares it, for what group of people and for what specific event." “We hope that this event in terms of the preparation of food and sharing of it will enable our students to understand that food plays a very important role in our country, our way of doing things and daily life. The important message that will be taken away are the stories behind the preparation. When those foods are prepared, the stories are told.” The cultural program began with a screening of myths and legends from Papua New Guinea and will conclude with a traditional dance performance on September 5th. Kopkop College School of Learning and Innovation Principal Ms. Roddy Kidoro reinforced the school’s vision of celebrating cultural diversity while instilling national identity in students. “Our root is still embedded in the understanding that we are Papua New Guineans and we come from one nation.”