Louis Liedel

Radical Australia

Why is it so difficult to conduct research on the West Papuan Noken? How does an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO) relate to nationalism? Who exactly owns cultural heritage? These are the questions our guest this week is grappling with in his thesis at the University of Melbourne and his name is Louis Liedel. Louis is interested in cultural heritage when he is not playing futsal with his mates. Louis is looking at the Noken: a multi-functional, knotted bag, usually made of bark and dyed, that is used to store goods, carry goods, a 'walking house' if you will. It was listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2012. Listeners are invited to meet Louis and celebrate 10 years of the West Papua Office in Docklands this Sunday August 4th at 838 Collins St, Docklands. Entry via the rear. Find out about the West Papua Liberation Movement and meet some great people doing powerful things. Lunch at 1pm, speakers at 2pm, the regular auction at 3pm, finishing off with the Vanuatu Choir and West Papuan Community Choir. Food, music, education and good times. Louis will be there talking about Noken diplomacy. It's quite fascinating and he is a great communicator. Get on down. Thanks, Louis, for joining us on the show this week. This is our second episode celebrating 10 years of the West Papua Office here in Melbourne - the only office in the world housing the members of the West Papuan transitional government. Have a listen to last week's episode to hear from Foreign Affairs Minster, Jacob Rumbiak. Merdeka!