Following criticisms by some people of the Vou Dance Group's performance during the opening ceremony of the Festival of Pacific Arts, the group said they were proud to represent Fiji since the traditional team was not in Hawaii for the ceremony.
They say they were selected through an audition process to go to FestPac for just a contemporary dance, however, they were asked to perform a short snippet of this traditional meke which is part of a longer meke that was choreographed by Raijieli Sakulavou of Ravuka Village in Namuka, Macuata.
They further say that it is important for us Fijians that our youth get the opportunity to learn and perform meke and keep it alive for future generations as the traditional meke is diverse and we need to enable platforms for continuity of practises to keep the traditional dance alive as an art form.
The group says they would love to work alongside anyone who has a passion and knowledge of meke to teach the next generation so that our great great grandchildren still have access to Fijian culture.
They say their doors are always open and the youth of Fiji are always eager to learn.
While responding to the criticisms, Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu says he made the call for the Vou Group to perform at the opening ceremony after the traditional team from Davuilevu was not able to reach Hawaii on time.
Vasu says the traditional team from Davuilevu will be given a chance to perform when they arrive in Hawaii.
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