A book celebrating language and culture is set to be launched in Wellington during Fijian Language Week, October 3 – 9.
Voqa ni Veisemati: Vola Italanoa ni Viti e Aotearoa is the result of a series of creative writing workshops led by author and storyteller Moira Wairama and facilitated by Sai Lealea and Losalini Tuwere with support from the Ministry of Education and Read NZ Te Pou Muramura.
In Voqa ni Veisemati: Vola Italanoa ni Viti e Aotearoa, a group of Fijian families in Wellington gather together their stories and poems in both Fijian and English.
Co-editors Sai Lealea and Losalini Tuwere were pleasantly surprised to see the participants enthusiastically take on the initiative and express themselves in writing. Project leader Sai Lelalea says, “ it was amazing how the children and families were able to capture their ideas and memories in writing and to see the satisfaction when they achieved it.”
Author Moira Wairama says it was a privilege to work with storytellers from the Wellington Fijian community to create this special book and see it reach a wider audience.
Voqa ni Veisemati: Vola Italanoa ni Viti e Aotearoa will be available, in limited edition, from all good bookshops and libraries.
As part of Fijian Language Week celebrations, the book will be launched at Johnsonville Community Centre on October 7, alert levels permitting. An online launch will be offered otherwise.
Contact Sai Lealea: sai.lealea@sdlconsultancy.com. for more information
Image credit: Sai Lealea, Losalini Tuwere, Moria Wairama