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Samoa is a beautiful country, much like the one you see in the Disney animated film Moana. Every September, the capital city of Apia hosts the Teuila Festival. I spoke with Jimmy Leusa, a Samoan student who has participated in the festival, to learn more.
The festival gets its name from the teuila, Samoa's national flower. This plant, which belongs to the ginger family, is known for its vibrant red color. For a week, this major event brings together people from schools, the government, and local communities who put on various performances and displays.
A key aspect of the festival is that it's not just a showcase of traditional culture—it’s also a chance to learn and pass that culture on to the next generation. When he was in high school, Jimmy performed a traditional dance at the festival, and it deepened his understanding.
He told me, "I learned about the deeper messages behind the dances." He also shared, "I learned how handicrafts are made using local, natural materials, and it made me appreciate the meaning and creativity that you can't see just by looking at them."
When asked what he enjoys most about the festival, Jimmy said he loves taking lots of photos, tasting delicious food made from ingredients from the mountains and the sea, and enjoying the performances. He added, "Everyone is so kind and cooperative. If you get the chance to visit during this season, you should definitely go."
The warmth and love that fill the festival speak to the strong bonds among the Samoan people. It feels like their identity, much like the teuila flower, continues to bloom proudly through the generations.
Students after performing traditional dances and other acts at an event in Beppu City.
Jimmy Leusa
Nickname: Jimmy
First-year student, College of Sustainability Tourism
（Published in the Oita Godo Newspaper, Morning Edition, September 23, 2025）
Based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Oita Godo Newspaper, since January 2022, Student PR Assistants (SPA) have been contributing their interviews with international students to the life and culture section of the newspaper’s morning edition. SPA will introduce different cultures and the interesting topics they raise from an authentic, student perspective. These student writers take this opportunity to get the newspaper’s readership and students interested in the world. They also aim to improve their skills with the aid of professional editors.
Hello! My name is Mayumi, and I am a third-year student in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. I would like to share the unique features of APU, as well as my experience studying abroad in the UK for a year. I hope my posts can inspire readers who are considering studying at APU or taking on new challenges. Looking forward to connecting with you!
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