Music is the universal language of love and peace

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government’s 45th annual Holiday Music Festival’s opening night was greeted by a festive crowd Sunday night at the Veterans Memorial Monument in Tafuna. 

This year’s event features 3 days of choirs presented by ASG Departments — Sunday Dec. 4 though Tuesday, Dec. 6 — the first time in eight years that ASG has performed as part of the holiday music program. 

Employees of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center performing at the opening of the ASG 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. They were one of six groups that opened the music festival that’s happening at the Veterans Memorial Center Industrial Park in Tafuna. [photo: faaTalanoa Media]

Then beginning Wednesday, Dec. 7 American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture and Humanities takes over with choirs from churches and villages performing through Saturday, Dec.10. 

All shows for the week-long series of events start at 6pm and the music, food and fun is expected to go until around 11 pm.

The lovely ladies of the Department of Public Safety are all smiles before taking the stage to conclude performances for the first day of the ASG 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Center Industrial Park in Tafuna on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. [photo: faaTalanoa Media]

At Sunday’s opening Rev. Fa’alili Otineru of the Fagali’i CCCAS led the invocation with the Fagali’i CCCAS choir singing hymns to officially open the program.

One of the highlights was the lighting of the Territorial Christmas tree with the switch turned by First Lady Mrs. Ella Mauga while a torch on top the Veterans Memorial was switched on by Mrs. Marion McGuire Ale, who is the Lt. Governor’s wife. [photo: faaTalanoa Media]

Master of Ceremonies for the ASG events, Tauese Vaaomala Sunia said it is “a season to be jolly.” 

The special guests at the opening included members of the volunteer doctor group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are here on 18-month tours, working along side doctors at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center to help improve patient care in the territory. They are pictured here with their spouses at opening night of the music festival on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Center Industrial Park in Tafuna. [photo: faaTalanoa Media]

HTC Lauti Faafeta will MC the Arts Council shows with pastors representing most of the territories’ denominations giving the invocations for both ASG and the Arts Council.

With music as the universal language — the programs bring forth the spirit of Christmas and provide a gala, traditional opening for the holiday season in American Samoa.