The Pacific Arts Alliance

The threading of the ula (garland) has begun in Pagopago. And in two weeks, when this cultural adventure ends, the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts hopes for a coulier that will not only celebrate our uniqueness in the diverse web of what is Pacific but also a much stronger connection across the vast ocean.

Opening the festival that is held every four years, alternating between Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, Governor Togiola Tulafono told delegates as people involved in the threading of the ula, they were part of something sacred, a process that had specific steps and requirements of participants.

"In the next two weeks, we will thread ulas in Amerika Samoa - we will be sharing in the islands of happiness," an obviously happy governor told delegates and the people of Amerika Samoa who had turned out in numbers to be a supportive home crowd a game of rugby could never attract.

"We compare these islands to the flowers in our garden...each in its own beauty and scents.",Governor Tulafono reminded delegates.

A packed Veterans' Stadium sat soberly through the official part of the function until the 23 countries marched around the stadium. In a spectacular show of Pacific peoples and their traditional dresses, dances and chants, dressed on their traditional outfits, delegates presented their gifts of mats and or tapa, carving and or fine handicrafts before wowing the crowd with three-minute renditions of what the people here can expect of their delegations in the next two weeks.

Secretariat of the Pacific Community Human Resources manager Linda Petersen reminded delegates that in threading this ula must never forget that at the end of the day, the quality of life must always be of paramount importance.

"When you leave this ula threading, I hope you will take with you something valuable to share when you get back home,'' Ms Petersen said.

Ms Petersen described how the festival itself had evolved, not only in size but also in its varying themes and objectives, all working towards the empowerment of and the cultural conservation encouragement of Pacific peoples.

The festival which was first staged in Fiji in 1972 is seen by protagonists of culture conservation as a sustainable vehicle for ensuring perpetuity of Pacific culture and tradition.

Fiji Art Council director Letila Mitchell said the Fiji delegation has been well received. She said the opening ceremony was as spectacular as expected and that she was sure delegates would gain a lot more than just the experience of performing whatever they were here for.

Heritage minister Filipe Bole said he was very impressed with Fiji's performance. Fijiis represented in eight of the 13 categories at this year's festival. The Fiji delegation stays at a seminary, in Kananafou, where the official church service to kick-off the festival was held last weekend.

The Education deputy secretary who is here with the Fiji delegation, Filipe Jitoko told the delegation when he visited their accomodation after the opening that the government is willing to provide financial support for Fiji's participation in cultural events such as the festival.

"This is the first time for me to attend an arts festival and I am amazed with what I saw this evening and am very proud of your performance during the ceremony," Mr Jitoko said.

Mr Jitoko said however the onus was on the performers and artists to keep up the high standards. He said the ministry would encourage more of Fiji's participation in cultural events. He said Fiji has to start preparing for the next festival sooner than later.