‘WE are the Ocean: Heritage and Arts Festival’ highlights the joy that the arts bring into our lives and the meaning that our heritage gives us.
These were the words of the director for the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies, Dr Frances Koya Vaka’uta, during the opening of the festival at the University of the South Pacific in Suva yesterday.
Dr Vaka’uta said the festival was a celebration of proud Oceanians.
The vice-chancellor (Research, Innovation, International) Professor Derrick Armstrong said the festival incorporated both contemporary and heritage art.
He said the seven-day festival contained a heritage and arts-filled program.
“It attempts to highlight the role of the arts and academia, particularly Pacific studies,” Professor Armstrong said.
Professor Armstrong said heritage festivals provided the opportunity to raise awareness on safeguarding our culture.
