On 15th July 2025, the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (MCIA) proudly hosted a one-day celebration in honor of National Cultural Day at the Betio Sports Complex. This event brought together cultural stakeholders, government officials, church groups, NGOs, local communities and the public to celebrate our rich culture and heritage.
The official program commenced upon the arrival of our honored guest that signaled by the blowing of the conch shell. This ceremonial gesture marked the arrival of His Excellency President, Honorable. Taneti Maamau, followed by a traditional chant or song known as ‘Te Taumanintaninga’, performed by a cultural stakeholder to make the event more welcoming to all our honored guests.
Among the highlights of the event was the formal opening speech delivered by Honorable Minister for the MCIA, Mr. Harry Tekaiti, emphasizing the significance of this year’s theme and stressing the important role of cultural preservation and the inter-generational transmission of our culture and tradition. He highlighted that our culture is not only a reflection of our identity but also the foundation of our collective strength and wealth as a nation.
The day was filled with memorable moments and engaging cultural performances that celebrated the diversity and richness of Kiribati culture. The smooth delivery of the program was made possible through the collaborative efforts of those involved from organizing teams to our participating local communities. Foremost of this, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors who have continued to provide donations including our outer island councils for your generous support in making this event a success.
The national cultural day this year is a significant annual event that reminds us of all the values of unity and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations. Above all, Kam bati n rabwa, are i eta ngkami nikabane!
