Talanoa Fogafala: Critical narratives, stories, and insights through partnership

Two Faculty of Education and Social Work staff members attended a book launch hosted by the National University of Samoa.

Front row (left to right): Fusi Gauta, Judy Alexander Pouono, Silafau Professor Sina Vaa’i, Dr Jacoba Matapo, Tim Baice, Leua Latai, and Vernetta Ah Heem. Back row (left to right): Christine Avia, Jackie Ioana Ah Hoy Wright, Onelau Fa’amoemoe Soti, Dr Masami Levi, Roonie Mariner, Tavu’i Dr Niusila Fa’amanatu-Eteuati, Fualuga Taupi and Pule Taulauniu Mariota from the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts with colleagues from The University of Auckland, Dr Jacoba Matapo & Tim Baice.
Front row (left to right): Fusi Gauta, Judy Alexander Pouono, Silafau Professor Sina Vaa’i, Dr Jacoba Matapo, Tim Baice, Leua Latai, and Vernetta Ah Heem. Back row (left to right): Christine Avia, Jackie Ioana Ah Hoy Wright, Onelau Fa’amoemoe Soti, Dr Masami Levi, Roonie Mariner, Tavu’i Dr Niusila Fa’amanatu-Eteuati, Fualuga Taupi and Pule Taulauniu Mariota from the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts with colleagues from The University of Auckland, Dr Jacoba Matapo & Tim Baice.

Dr Jacoba Matapo and Tim Baice (CRISTIE) attended a book launch for the second edition of ‘Talanoa Fogafala: The Round Table’ hosted by the National University of Samoa on Monday 29th August. ‘Talanoa Fogafala’ - is an anthology which presents critical narratives, stories, and insights through ongoing talanoa and partnership between the National University of Samoa and the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau. The second edition shares poetry and visual arts encounters and exchanges between 2020-2022 during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The transoceanic collaboration between two Pacific universities was first initiated by Professor Carol Mutch (CRISTIE) in partnership with Leua Latai (NUS) in 2019. In 2022 Dr Jacoba Matapo, Tim Baice, Fetaui Iosefo CRISTIE The University of Auckland, and Leua Latai of NUS served as editors for the second edition with support from CRISTIE.

The book launch was followed by a day of workshop poetry writing and fellowship, the early beginnings of poems, short stories and artistic visualisations for a proposed third edition in the near future.
 

The book launch for Talanoa Fogafala
Workshops followed the launch.