Media release – embargoed 7 March 2012

7 March 2012

Tuvalu in two days time

Talofa. Tuvalu will demonstrate at Pasifika Festival their dance, language and culture is strong, despite the threat of sea level rise.

Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Event Producer Ole Maiava says the Festival at Western Springs is an opportunity for small Pacific islands, like Tuvalu, to proudly share their culture with Aucklanders.

“On Saturday 10 March, one of Tuvalu’s small coral atolls, Nanumea, will showcase its unique culture at the Tuvalu village.

“The Nanumea community will perform fatele, the famous colourful and unique form of Tuvaluan dance. It is used to celebrate leaders and to welcome important guests coming into the country, or to individual islands. The dances explore the culture of the island and its deep ties to the sea.

“The dancers wear a distinctive traditional skirt made from hand-dyed pandanus leaf strips using traditional pattern and colours,” he explains.

There is also an important presentation about the impact on sea level rise for the people of Tuvalu.

Lock it in your calendar, dust off your sunnies and be part of Pasifika Festival 2012.

Ends

Notes

• This year Pasifika celebrates 20 years of celebrating Pacific culture in Auckland.

• Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world. It consists of three reef islands, Nanumaga, Niutao, Niulakita and six coral islands, Funafuti, Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Vaitupu.

• Other highlights on Saturday 10 March on Tuvalu stage will be: the Tuvalu “siva” by the Kaumaile Dancing Group; the “fatele” by the Tamafine Kaumaile Dancing Group (children) as well as a demonstration of handicraft making and traditional costume making, and traditional presentation by the village Kaumatua.

• Friday 9 March, 7pm - 9pm, the Pasifika Festival Opening Night Concert will feature performances from 10 different cultures and special guests.

• Saturday 10 March, 10am - 5pm, Pasifika Festival Day will see the park transformed into 10 villages from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa. Each village will offer food, art, dance and music.

• Entry is FREE, and for the first time the park will be fenced with six entrances located on Great North Road (x2), Motions Road, Stadium Rd, and near Western Springs Stadium and Auckland Zoo.

• Visit: http://www.aucklandnz.com/pasifika for more information

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