KĀPITI COAST Images supplied by Kāpiti Coast District Council
Stars THE
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COVID-19 HAS CAUSED DISRUPTION to many, many events across Aotearoa and the world, but this year it has also caused the stars to align on the Kāpiti Coast. In late June the Māoriland Film Festival is to be held alongside the Matariki Ramaroa Lights Arts Festival, which means a star studded month of arts experiences - and makes the Kāpiti Coast the place to be this winter! “The sighting of the Matariki star cluster traditionally signals the beginning of the Māori new year,” says Matariki Ramaroa Producer Dylan Herkes. “It is a time to be with loved ones and to remember those who have passed in the year before, to come together to reflect and celebrate and plan ahead, and the Matariki Ramaroa festival ties together a month of arts events integrating contemporary arts with the traditions of Matariki. There will be world class and pioneering indigenous exhibitions of cinema, sculpture, music, theatre, dance and thoughtprovoking kōrero connecting and celebrating with the people of the Kāpiti Coast.” Māoriland Film Festival Director Libby Hakaraia says that while having to reschedule the Film Festival was not ideal, it has turned into a happy coincidence that it will now be side by side with the Matariki celebrations.
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