HRH Princess Pilolevu unveiled a plaque to mark the 30^th anniversary of Tonga’s National Cultural Centre on May 4 at Tofoa.

The ceremony was part of a Tongan Culture and Traditions Week held from April 30 to May 4 by the Culture Division of the Ministry of Tourism, to encourage and promote the importance of preserving Tongan culture and heritage.

Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii said the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV commissioned the center on May 4, 1988 as a beacon for the preservation and dissemination of Tongan culture and tradition.

“It is remarkable that 30 years ago, even though the Japanese Embassy was not even opened in Tonga, our two nations were already sharing the mutual understanding of recognizing the significance of traditions and culture.”

The center was constructed with around $6 million pa'anga grant from Japan. One of those buildings is now the new home for the Tongan Pariament.

Other programs held earlier in the week included a traditional Tongan dancing show targeted at youth groups who performed the fa’ahiula, me’etu’upaki and lakalaka, a Tongan singing competition, among other cultural events.