The realisation of a dream, the celebration of life

By Deidre Fanene 05 December 2016, 12:00AM

A dream by Seiuli Allan Alo Vaai to create a space to nurture, encourage and develop the talents of our people of all ages in the Pacific was realised at Fugalei on Saturday night.

It happened during the celebration of the official launch of a project called Samoa Performing Arts and Creative Excellence (S.P.A.C.E) well attended by members of the community.

S.P.A.C.E is the brainchild of Seiuli, whose courage and bravery was praised by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi who officially opened the project.

 “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning to dance in the rain,” Prime minister said. “The anonymous quotation fits the purpose of tonight in our coming together to celebrate Seiuli Allan Alo’s dream to create S.P.A.C.E.”

Tuilaepa said S.P.A.C.E offers opportunities for both youth and the veterans of Samoa and the region in the performing arts to develop their talents.

He then paid tribute to Seiuli’s vision and hard work to realise it.

“Seiuli’s S.P.A.C.E is a demonstration of the distinction between a leader and a follower,” Tuilaepa said. 

“You have not followed where the path may lead instead you have gone where there is no path and will definitely lead a trail so that others may follow. I feel privileged to be here tonight and I agree wholeheartedly that the performing arts give life its shape. An ounce of performance is certainly worth more ounces of promises.

“I am convinced that those who will enter the holes of S.P.A.C.E will know that when you are simply told of something you will forget whereas showing and involving someone will result in understanding and remembering forever and may we all treasure the gift of S.P.A.C.E born out of a dream.”

Seiuli was humbled by having Prime Minister Tuilaepa at the launch.

 “I feel overwhelmed mainly because of your presence here tonight,” he said.

“God knows the purpose of your life. King Solomon was the most successful and rich king in the whole world but he was empty.

“He stated and started the Ecclesiastes Book with “everything is meaningless.” He discovered that there are only two things that can build a fulfilling life, one relationship and two purposes.

“Relationships built with God, everything is done according to God’s plan. Purpose, your life’s purpose has already been planned by the greatest mind and kindness heart in the whole universe and that is God.”

He went on to say that only God knows the purpose of life and he will reveal it to us all.

“I am honoured and overwhelmed that he had shown me mine,” he said. “The arts that you all know that I have been dancing and jumping up and down about sometimes called me monkey. Stop being monkeying around!

“But it’s the art that really gives me life and that’s what God gave to me and here to celebrate S.P.A.C.E to nurture and to develop the arts for our generations and people to come.

“Additionally with my condition of cancer, I dedicate this space to dance for cancer, a programme that will rejuvenate and rehabilitate those who have been paralysed when they are being told that they only have one to three months (to live).

“And that’s what happened to me three months ago.

“When the doctor said to me that I have three months I was so mad, I quickly got on the phone with my family here and my children and family in Fiji to please come. Let’s come together and dance for cancer and celebrate life.

“And that’s why we are here to celebrate life with me.”

By Deidre Fanene 05 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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