(Picture caption: La’amo'oni Filimoehala performs a Tau’olunga at the Soul Sessions White Sunday Special. Photo Credit: ECG Media.)
Crowds of community leaders, aiga and children gathered to honour children at the recent Soul Sessions White Sunday Special at Hoyts Cinema in Sylvia Park, Auckland.
Soul Sessions is a series, which offers an opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in the power of music and conversation that uplifts and touches the soul.
Centred around the Pacific feast day of White Sunday, this particular episode, filmed live, celebrated children, and was led by a young Pacific duo – 11-year-old Amadeus Filimoehala and 14-year-old Micayla-Jane Elika.
The pair outlined the formalities and introduced the items including a beautiful Tau’olunga performance by La’amo'oni Filimoehala, who was accompanied by a Tongan string band.
A partnership between ECG and the Ministry of Education, the purpose of the Soul Sessions project was to provide a comprehensive White Sunday experience for those not too familiar with the feast day.
This included showcasing and explaining Bible verse recitals, singing, dancing, and drama performances from different church and community groups around Auckland.
Event Executive Producer Sara-Jane Elika says she loved how you could walk away and understand what White Sunday was, even if you had never heard about it before.
The month of May was specifically chosen as the premiere date to celebrate Fakame - Tongan Children's White Sunday, as well as to commemorate Rotuman Language Week.
As a way to contribute to the preservation of indigenous Pacific languages, the Soul Sessions series used the Rotuman word Hanuju, which means to kōrero or talanoa.
The Soul Sessions White Sunday Special is now available online on the ECG Media Channel.