What’S On In ‘94

Calendar on national events for the remainder of 1994.

April

01-05 Easter Holy Week Christianity is an integral part of Sam oan custom with the main denominations being the Congregational Christian Church, Catholic Church, Methodist Church and the Church of Latter Day Saints. Thus Easter in Samoa is observed

as one of the holy weeks dedicated to prayers and fasting. The singing and dramas performed by the denominations during the week are heavenly. Good Friday (Ist) and Easter Monday (sth) are public holidays.

May

Youth Week (Lumanai o Samoa) Lumanai o Samoa refers to the future of

Samoa and during this week Samoa turns her attention to the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow. The programme will concentrate on the denominations youth groups or clubs with several activities such as educational seminars on several important topics, a sports day and a talent quest. 15-21 COMMACT Conference The Women in Business Foundation, hosts a COMMACT Pacific Regional Conference. 17 Pacific islands are in volved in a two-day fare to display and sell their tradition crafts.

June

01-03 Independence Celebrations Western Samoa was the first Pacific nation to gain independence. To com memorate this the country celebrates its independence ( Tutoatasi ) in June each year. The celebrations include tra

ditional entertainment, marching girls,

government awards and many more activities.

Beer Fest Western Samoa invites and promotes the brews of the world. The beer fest is to bring together all brews to be displayed in an exhibition setting. Vailima, West ern Samoa’s award-winning beer will be featured at the beer fest along with Samoa Lager. 26-30 Pacific Islands News Associ ation conference 250 media representatives from the Pacific rim convene in Western Samoa to discuss the business of the Pacific Islands News Association and the Pacific Islands

Broadcasting Association.

July

10-16 Musika Extravaganza Samoa invites hers sons and daughters residing overseas to bring their musical talents to their homelands. The musical extravaganza will showcase some of the best musical talents ranging from ancient chants to modern music. This will be dedicated to the bringing together of the sons and daughters of Samoa to share a common musical bond and to further instill the people’s Samoan heritage. The Musika Extravaganza will also feature celebrated musicians and Samoa’s spe cial guests and friends. 30 Le Tausala Samoa Pageant The pageant is dedicated to selecting a Samoan maiden that portrays the beauty and true essence of Le Tausala Samoa.

The Le Tausala Samoa is Western Samoa’s national contestant in the Miss South Pacific Pageant. (continued on page 45)

August

Polynesian Airlines Amateur Golf Classic This will feature top amateur golfers from the Pacific rim. The Western Samoa Royal Country Golf Club hosts this tournament annually and it attracts some of the region’s top players. Attract ive prizes are offered. 14-21 International Outrigger

World Sprints Championships

Western Samoa through the Western Samoa Canoe Association will host the championships. Teams from all over the globe will participate. In addition other water-sports demonstrations will be fea tured.

Polynesian Oceania Veterans Ten nis Tournament An annual event featuring players from the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. The Western Samoa Tennis Veterans were the winners of the 1993 tournament and are hosts this year.

September

04-10 Teuila Tourism Festival The Teuila Tourism Festival week offers many interesting events for all visitors.

The Government of Western Samoa in implementing this week of festivities gives the visitor a chance to witness traditional entertainment, choir competitions, canoes and traditional long boat Fautasi races, fire dance competitions, talent quests, traditional games and much more. The week will culminate in the ‘‘Highlights of Excellence” where one is able to witness the best performances by the first prize winners of the Teuila Festival competitions from the winning talent to the best fire-dance.

Tourism Conference Directors of the 13 member countries of the Tourism Council of the South Pacific convene in Western Samoa to deliberate on important tourism matters. The conference will also focus on discussions about tourism development in Western

Samoa.

October

Savaii Palolo Fest The rise of the palolo is traditionally predicted to be seven days after full moon coinciding with the third quarter of the moon phase at high tide between mid night and the early hours of the morning.

One of the most fascinating natural phenomenons is the rise of the palolo as known by Samoans or the Eunice Viridis

Gray. The relationship between the phase

of the moon and the emergence of the palolo has been known to the Samoan island for centuries and has been the basis of studies. Palolo is a Samoan delicacy that is available only twice a year. 09 White Sunday

Designated as Children’s Sunday (. Lotu

Tamaiti ) this special day brings out all the children of Samoa in their Sunday best to quote verses from the Bible,

perform biblical dramas or sing hymns.

A special holiday on Monday has been honoured by the government to signify the importance of children in Samoa. 15 Miss South Pacific Pageant Western Samoa hosts the Miss South Pacific Pageant which is contested by beauty queens from all over the Pacific. 23-17 Cultural Festival The festival aims at promoting thee beauty and wonders of the Samoan culture. Witness the tattooing rituals of the Samoans, the only race to this day practising the art of tattooing in the South Seas. During the festival and on Samoa Day one is able to witness some of Samoa’s traditional attire and na tional wear worn by both adults and school children.

November

Upolu Palolo Fest The second rise of the palolo is always in

November and is most abundant on the island of Upolu.

Flower Gala Western Samoa is renown for its beauti ful, lush flora and during this week the citizens of Samoa are able to display the beauty of their gardens and be acknowl edged for their efforts.

December

03-09 Robert Louis Stevenson Cen tennial The commemoration of the death of the renown poet and author who spent the last four of his life in Samoa. Robert Louis Stevenson is buried on Mount Vaea and is remembers by the people of Samoa as the beloved Tusitala or teller of tales. The home of Robert Louis Stevenson in Western Samoa is the official residence of the head of state, His Highness Malietoa Tanumalili 11. It will be opened to the public and the residence will boast a museum that will house some of Stevenson’s possessions.

December 1994/January 1995

Cricket Competition

An exciting game to play and watch, Samoan cricket ( Kilikiti ) is a colourful

and enjoyable recreation played by both

men and women. ★ Note: Most of the events on this calendar are annual events.

Visit South Pacific Year 1995 Western Samoa will host events of interest throughout the year to coincide with the Visit South Pacific Year 1995.

Visit Samoa Year 1996 The Visit Samoa Year 1996 programme is in line with the main events that will be hosted by Western Samoa in 1996 such as the Pacific Arts Festival, the Robert Louis Stevenson Home Visit, the Teuila Tourism Festival, the Miss South Pacific Pageant and many other interest ing activities. □