21 February 2007

Month-long showcase of Pacific talent

A regional programme of arts and events that reflects the unique talents of Pacific cultures in Auckland will again come together as Celebrate Pasifika over three weeks in March.

Celebrate Pasifika aims to showcase the achievements of Auckland's Pacific communities and provide opportunities for Aucklanders and visitors alike to engage with Auckland's Pacific cultures.

The 2007 Celebrate Pasifika programme runs from 2 to 24 March and includes numerous events, workshops, expos and exhibitions including Genetic Pasifika, Manuland Sculpture Symposium, Pollywood Shorts Five07, Pasifika storytimes, Hauraki Hoe Waka Ama Race and Requiem by Lemi Ponifasio.

Launched in 2005, Celebrate Pasifika grew to support the original Pasifika Festival, which still runs as the highlight of the wider programme.

Michelle Khan, Celebrate Pasifika director, says the initiative is a positive regional partnership that promotes the important contribution Pacific Island people make to Auckland’s creativity, vibrancy and diversity.

"We are a mixture of the old with the new. We warmly invite you to engage, experience and celebrate the innovation, adaptability and evolution of Pacific identity with Celebrate Pasifika 2007,” she says.

Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, ASB Community Trust, Creative New Zealand, Pacific Arts Development Centre Trust, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and many artists, venue managers and event producers are working collaboratively in 2007 and support the growth of the festival into the future.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/celebratepasifika for more information on Celebrate Pasifika.

ENDS

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