Bislama Language Week will soon take centre stage in Central, an initiative being piloted for two years to boost Ni-Vanuatu culture in New Zealand.

Organiser Joan Lloyd has been appointed by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to lead the pilot in Central.

She said she was looking forward to the week but Cyclone Lola had impacted some of the preparations for the Ni-Vanuatu (Ni-Van) community.

The severe tropical cyclone hit Vanuatu in the early hours of October 25, a week earlier than the official start of cyclone season. 

“Some of the guys are not here in Central yet as they’ve stayed home longer to help.”

A few cultural items planned to be used during the week are stuck in Vanuatu as they’ve been stored in buildings closed down and secured due to Lola’s impacts. 

“It will be great to have [the week] going in the long run, it will empower [RSE] to be themselves.”

When asked what her language means to her she said it is “connection, love and identity”.

“Language lights your world . . . hearing it sparks something in the guys and makes them feel more comfortable.”

Bislama is the language of Vanuatu, where many of Central’s recognised seasonal employees (RSE) come from.

From October through November there are about 390 Ni-Vans arriving in Central for the following seven months' of work in horticulture and viticulture.

The week of celebrations begins on Sunday, November 12, at 2pm with an unveiling of the Cromwell Alpha St Reserve multicultural mural.

Throughout the week there will also be speaking events, primary school visits, a screening of a movie from Vanuatu and a closing celebration featuring a Ni-Van string band at the Cromwell Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 18 at 1pm. 

Joan has volunteered more hours than she can count to prepare for the week, including compiling displays to go into both Cromwell Museum and Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery. 

The exhibitions will feature artefacts from Vanuatu and digital images from a Ni-Van photographer on a video loop. 

A Vanuatuan movie “Tanna” will be screened at Central Cinema on Friday, November 17 at 7.30pm.

The move Tanna will screen at Central Cinema. IMAGE: Supplied

Joan described it as a Vanuatuan version of Romeo and Juliet. It is the first film to be shot entirely on location in the village of Yakei on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island. 

The film won the Audience Award Pietro Barzisa at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival. It was selected as the Australian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards (2017).

Joan’s husband Trevor, who can also speak Bislama, has worked as a doctor for Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) in Vanuatu and will be sharing his experience with staff at Dunstan Hospital on Wednesday, November 15. 

A teacher who has also visited and worked in Vanuatu, together with Joan will be sharing Ni-Van culture with primary school children in Alexandra, Cromwell and Roxburgh during the week. 

The Central App will bring you more on Bislama language next week, including some phrases to try. Lukim yu (see you later). 

Read more: Workers from cyclone-hit Vanuatu arrive in NZ

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