Rapaki To Greece An Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Project 2014-02-19 22:10:56 +1300

Kia ora! Hello! Γεια σou!

Your pledge will help our extended family - matriarch Reihana Parata (76yrs), seven adults and seven young people aged 12yrs to 20yrs - living in Rapaki on the Banks Peninsula, to offset costs to travel as part of Te Ahikaaroa Kapahaka, the first ever Maori Performing Arts (MPA) to be invited to perform at the Lefkas International Folklore Festival on the island of Lefkada Greece, since the festival started 52 years ago.

Te Ahikaaroa Kapahaka are hard out fundraising over $120,000 for thirty performers to take up the opportunity of an amazing cultural experience in Greece. A helping hand from wonderful people like you would boost our fundraising efforts tenfold.

Our family group members are often seen quietly beavering in the background contributing within our communities… 

Supporting events in and around the Banks Peninsula;

• Horomaka Art Exhibition
• Matariki events in Lyttelton and Rapaki
• Lyttelton Harbour Festival of Lights
• ANZAC commemorations

Hosting visitors at Rapaki marae; 

• Parihaka commemorations
• Waitangi Day 6 February 2014 Rapaki hosted the Citizenship Ceremony for 25 people from 11 different countries. Over 250 people celebrated Waitangi Day as a day of fellowship, a time to learn about each other's cultures and most importantly to celebrate our cultural diversity as New Zealanders. 

Performing at functions, Fundraisers or events in Christchurch, Canterbury, nationally and internationally;

• Citizenship Ceremonies, Christchurch Council Buildings & Rapaki   
• Elleslie Flower Show, Christchurch
• National Maori Performing Arts Competitions since 1998
• Te Putake, Laquenexy France 2013

Facilitating Maori Performing Arts workshops; Lyttelton Body Festival;

Volunteering to;

• Organize,
• support or
• perform at fundraisers for a variety of causes at marae, schools or communities 

Your pledge will help us to be part of the 1st Maori Performing Arts group to be invited to perform at the Lefkas International Folklore Festival in Lefkada Greece, August 2014.

We will set up a blog and facebook page so you can follow our journey. No one knows what will happen tomorrow... today you can help us to share what time we are blessed with, together as a family spanning three generations, to spread goodwill at the Lefkas International Folklore Festival through Maori songs, dance and haka.    

                           Lefkas International Folklore Festival

http://www.lefkasculturalcenter.gr/index.php/en/events/folklore-festival

The "Lefkas International Folklore Festival" of 2012 completed 50 years of existence. Since its establishment in 1962, the festival has promoted the message of peace, friendship and brotherhood among nations worldwide through its cultural and traditional folk forms in the art of music and dance.

In the festival folk dance groups from the five continents will reinforce, through their performances, the message of friendship, communication and cooperation. A total of 800 dancers, choreographers, musicians, singers etc...

The festival takes place during the last week of August, from one Sunday to the other, commencing with the great parade of peace and friendship, the evening's ceremony marking the opening night (on that first Sunday night) with a very short appearance by all dance groups. During the week we have their full appearances and performances by each group and finally reaching the peak on the second Sunday with the majestic ending ceremony to include the exchange of gifts and the final dance of peace on stage by all groups.

The participation of the folk groups in the Lefkas International Folklore Festival is the opportunity for thousands of native and foreign visitors of the island to get acquainted with, to appreciate and enjoy the folk art and cultural heritage of other countries.

'Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu' 

All pledges gratefully accepted. Ευχαριστώ

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