Government of Samoa

08/30/2024 | News release | Archived content

KEYNOTE SPEECH BY HON. TUALA TEVAGA IOSEFO PONIFASIO DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR THE OPENING OF ŌFAGA O SA’ILI’ILIGAAT NUS LEPAPAIGALAGALA,

FRIDAY, 30TH AUGUST 2024 (AT 3:00PM)

Lau Susuga i le Ta'ita'i o le Sauniga, Rev. Malotau Lafolafoga

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Talofa lava and good afternoon. I am pleased to join the National University of Samoa to celebrate the official opening of the Ōfaga o Sa'ili'iliga: National University of Samoa Research Museum and launch the inaugural exhibition "Atalilo: Motifs in Samoan Material Culture." The Übersee-Museum Bremen and the National University of Samoa partnership began in 2020. I am sure that the cross-cultural and academic exchange between these two institutions through dialogue, ideas, culture, and heritage has been meaningful and an unforgettable learning experience.

The Ōfaga o Sa'ili'iliga museum is a space for everyone to enjoy! This museum should not only help us learn about our past, but it can bring communities together to explore further, to learn more, and to educate future generations about the importance of cultural heritage in our society. This museum helps to build on our existing national cultural frameworks within our Government, society, and families by mainstreaming both tangible and intangible forms of culture in our formal and non-formal education systems.

The government in its "Pathway for the Development of Samoa" document, highlights our commitment to the Arts and Samoa's cultural heritage. As a result we have successfully established "The Samoa Arts & Heritage Council to devise an arts & heritage policy toward the development of professional artistic performances and the preservation of Samoas heritage in Samoa, and be instrumental in facilitating fund and supporting Samoa arts & heritage initiatives such as this wonderful Museum and exhibition we are witnessing its launch today.

Our PM always says "Samoa is our treasure." Referring not only to our physical existence but our FaaSamoa which is highly regarded in our everyday lives as it is intricately tied to our well-being. Our Fa'a-Samoa and heritage are respected and shared communally. It is our traditional way of life and the way we live each day as Samoans. It is a dynamic tradition that evolves while remaining anchored in the core principles that have shaped Samoan life and people for generations.

We hope this Museum and exhibition will help us maintain some aspects of the social and cultural fabric of Samoan society, ensuring that traditions, values, and responsibilities are upheld and passed on to future generations.

Today, as a community, we will explore together the theme for the exhibition, "Atalilo: Motifs in Samoan Material Culture."Samoan motifs were used across different genres of Samoan material culture. Each motif carries a special meaning and is expressed in our tatau (tatoo), on a siapo (tapa), in war clubs, and even in different art forms. These designs are another example of our ancestors' creativity in their work, having deep meaning and profound significance to families, villages, districts, Samoa, and the wider Pacific.

I wish to express my gratitude and commend the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, Professor Wiebke (Vieb ke) Ahrndt (Aren't) and the entire team at the Übersee-Museum Bremen, for your ongoing efforts to prioritize research at NUS. You have not only helped fund this museum but have also shared some of Samoa's treasures with us, which have been preserved for over a century in Bremen, Germany. We are grateful for the opportunity to display these artifacts in our museum for the next three years. You have taken every step to ensure proper training of our curators, local scientists, and artists these past few years. Your generosity will never be forgotten.

Finally, thank you to the Vice Chancellor and your management team, professors, directors, deans, lecturers, and everyone involved for making this space possible for our students, for researchers, the public, and all of Samoa. Fa'afetai tele lava.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

Photo by The National University of Samoa

September 16, 2024