After 2 years of COVID, VOU dance company is once again on an international tour and the
first stop is the world’s biggest festival the Glastonbury Festival in the UK. At this festival.

VOU will be performing alongside some of the world’s biggest names such as Billie Eilish,
Ziggy Marley, Paul McCartney, Kendrik Lamar, Diana Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, BurnaBoy,
Olivia Rodrigo, TLC, Leon Bridges, Charli XCX, Jessie Ware and Calvin Harris.

VOU will be performing the production of Fiji Untold at the Glastonbury festival which is a
contemporary Fijian dance work that journeys into the mystical world of ancient Fijian myths
and legends.

One of the Fijian artists travelling to the UK is VOU rehearsal director Stuart Tuidela, he says
about the opportunity, “I am excited to share our Fijian stories with an international
audience, and I am really looking forward to watching some of the world’s most famous
artists.

I want to watch and learn how they do their stagecraft, such as their props, and how
they use the space and interact with the audience. I am going with an open mind and want
to learn as much as I can and bring it back to Fiji and incorporate it into my work as a
rehearsal director.”

After performing in Glastonbury VOU is honoured to have been invited to the city of Graz in
Austria to perform culturally inspired performances by the arts loving community at Aus
Dem Haus.

“It really is an honour to be invited all the way to Austria to perform dances and
songs of Fiji, we hope these kinds of opportunities inspire more Fijian youth to take pride in
their culture and endeavour to preserve Fijian dance and chants.” Said VOU Director Edward
Soro.

“The arts in Fiji is becoming a more viable and interesting option for youth wanting a
fulfilling career path”, said VOU Director Sachiko Soro. Young Fijians want jobs where they
are expressing themselves creatively and going on adventures, not just stuck behind a desk
doing the same thing every week.

However, they still find it hard convincing the older generation that the future really is in the creative industries. Currently, VOU is employing over 40 dancers and they are finding fulfilling and rewarding careers working as full-time performance professionals.”

For those interested in becoming a professional dancer, VOU runs a scholarship program
where talented young Fijians are granted scholarships to undertake their diploma in dance
at the Conservatorium of Dance that is accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission.

During their course they are provided with accommodation and a weekly allowance. Upon
graduation they are guaranteed full time employment with the VOU dance company and
have the opportunity to tour the world as professional performing artists.

For those who are interested VOU is doing an intake workshop at the VOU studio at 32
Naicker st, Nakurakura Nadi, on Saturday the 24th of June at 2pm