Let’s learn from history

By Sarafina Sanerivi 05 February 2016, 12:00AM

“Look back in order to move forward.”  This was the message conveyed by the Le Moana Group during the 1918 Show at the National University of Samoa on Wednesday night. 

The audience was treated to a masterpiece, which featured singing, acting, dancing and a mixture of contemporary numbers.

The show talks about the 1918 Influenza, which left a huge scar on Samoa.

For Director, Tupe Lualua, the staging of the show in Samoa is the realization of a dream.

She said they have wanted to come to Samoa and share their talents with the youths of Samoa for so long. 

“I can’t believe that we are actually here; this makes me realize that living your dream is possible because we are living our dream,” she said.

For the 1918 Show in particular, Ms. Lualua said that they’ve been looking forward to bringing the show to Samoa.

“This is because it’s Samoa’s story and they are more appreciative and they understand the story very well,” she said. “A lot of people in New Zealand do not understand the show because they don’t really know the story.”

Prior to Wednesday night, the group has been performing for the students at N.U.S, sharing and exchanging ideas with them in the process.

 “Samoan people are the most talented people in the world,” Ms. Lualua said.

“Whenever we talk to them and share with them, we also know that they are very talented in terms of dancing, singing and acting because of our traditional entertainments and we love that about our people.”

“They’ve got the rhythm and passion for they are used to entertaining.”

But Ms. Lualua admits that shyness is holding some of them back.

“So as soon as we lift them up, they started to show their potential and ability and they are all very talented.”

 “Living your dream,” is the main message the Group is promoting.

 “I know we all have our dreams, and I want to remind our youth to chase your dreams, own your dreams, live it and love it. 

“There will be many challenges while achieving your goals, but it’s a part of life. Keep your eye on the main goal, one day it will happen.”

The Vice Chancellor of the N.U.S, Professor Fui Asofou So’o, said the Show is one to remember.

 “The year 1918 was one of the toughest years in the history of Samoa, and tonight the demonstration done by the group really showed the suffering of our people.” 

To Professor Fui, the greatest message for him was not the “sad story”.

“It’s always good to look back to our struggles so that it can motivate us to move forward and do better,” he said. “As they say, History is like a bridge that connects the past to the present and points to the future.

“Therefore, I really enjoyed the show and at the same time, I was learning as well.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 05 February 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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