The first major event for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in American Samoa has taken place in a church this morning.
A service for all the participants has been held at the Kanana Fou Theological Seminary in Pago Pago.
Leilani Momoisea reports from American Samoa.
"Over 1000 of the festival's participants gathered at the church filling it with a sea of colourfully dressed people representing their different countries. The Kanana Fou Theological choir opened the service with a number of energetic hymns. The Governor of American Samoa Togiola Tulafono spoke as the chairman of the Congregational Christian Church, welcoming all who had gathered. The Maori King Tuheitia was also at the service. The co-chairman of the festival's organising committee Daniel Langkilde says it's great to come together and offer praise and thanksgiving with all the delegations. The official opening of the festival begins tomorrow night."