Samoa to Launch the Arts & Culture Week in September 

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 18 June 2026 – Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt has announced in Parliament that the annual Teuila Tourism Festival Week will be replaced by the Samoa Arts & Culture Week this coming September.

The Teuila Festival was created 35 years ago targeting the low season in order to entice overseas tourists to come to Samoa.

Over the years, the festival had brought not only tourists but attracted cultural and sports groups and the Samoa diaspora to participate at the time.

Samoan Fire knife dancing –  always a crowd pleaser.

However, in Parliament yesterday, Independent Member of Parliament, Mau’u Ati’ifale Siaosi Pu’epu’emai of Vaa-o-Fonoti, asked the question that brought both former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Prime Minister La’auli to the floor.

The self-made businessman and founder of the popular Georgie’s Pizza, Mau’u asked whether there was still any value in the Teuila Festival given that some of the events set for Teuila such as Samoan tattooing – taga tatau, cooking Samoan dishes, dancing and fire knife dancing are simply being replicated overseas.

“With social media, the tourists don’t have to come to Samoa to see and experience these significant cultural events,” Mau’u said.

With the huge success of Samoa’s recent 64^th Independence celebrations, Mau’u acknowledged the Governments’ stance in reviving the popular cultural events like sports and longboats races and over a three-day celebration.

A tight finish from a previous Teuila Fautasi race.

He suggested to the Government to put together some of the Teuila Festival events with the independence celebration events for a full week of celebrations to attract tourists and the diaspora and promoting tourism and business activity all at once.

“I am not saying to stop awareness and promotional programs for tourists but these events can be compiled to a whole week of independence celebration,” said Mau’u.

“O le upu moni, na ou matamata i tuuga vaa o le fu’a ma na ou fiu su’e se ma’a oute tu ai, ae na iu ina ou pe’a i le laau ma ou matamata ai le mua mai o le sa a le Telefoni ma o le ata vaaia lena o le sisiga fu’a,” he said.

Laauli acknowledged Mau’u’s thoughts then explained that Cabinet is in the process of finalising the decision on instituting the Samoa Arts & Culture Week in place of the Teuila Festival Week.

He also said whether a Samoan tattoo is done in New Zealand or Australia, it is not the same with having it done in Samoa and the emphasis is to attract the visitors and tourists to visit, experience and enjoy the beauty of Samoa.

Tourists checking out the local flea market.

Teuila Festival was to support hotel operators
Tuilaepa acknowledged Mau’u for raising the issue which he believed is an important one, then explained why the Teuila week was purposely schedule for September -August.

“This is the time which is a low season for tourists, so the Government back then created an event to draw tourists from abroad not only to fill hotels but to buy from local handicrafts,” said Tuilaepa.

He said the decision then was not “a spur of the moment” decision and the month of September was not chosen lightly.

He supported having longboats races, but said these are not cheap to stage and advised for the longboats to stick to using traditional wooden oars rather than using modern spoon oars which many boats cannot afford.

Christmas & New Years on the Waterfront from a previous year.

Christmas at Home
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa also confirmed three major changes to some of Samoa’s Calendar of Events.

The Independence Celebrations in June will remain for three days, the Samoa Arts & Culture Festival in September for one week and the end of the year Christmas at Home event.

“The Christmas at Home will bring families from overseas to spend time with the Aiga in Samoa,” he said.

Mau’u acknowledged the Prime Minister and Government for their long-term vision and also Tuilaepa for the support.