Tok Stori and live performance of The Islands are Calling.
On the 10th of June 2021, in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National University, the regional youth-led organization known as the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change organized an Tok Stori and live performance event at SINU Kukum Campus lecture theater. The event is the final activity of the five-month long climate change music and music video project titled ‘The Islands Are Calling’. brought about through a shared effort by local artists, producers and filmmakers, civil society and SINU staffs and students.
The students, staffs and general public attending the event.
The event purpose was to bring together the contributing artists, Camilla Anibirisi Batalibasi, William Kadi, Heinz Dee Koromako and a guest speaker Dr. Transform Aqorau to share their experiences on the project as well as tying the discussions with the complex topic climate change. Also, it is a first time the artists performed live.
The event opened when the SINU student Ms. Junena Talasasa Faisi took the podium and eloquently welcomed the audience. The Tok Stori session kicked started with the first artist Ms. Camilla Anibirisi Batalibasi sharing her heartfelt experience with her people from Langa Langa Lagoon during the filming of the music video.
“‘A villager explained his observation on the changing environment to me by saying that this year is where he has seen the highest king tides in his whole life living in our community. He further added that these changes bring concerns over our food security and overall livelihood of our coastal communities. Amplifying the voices of my people is closest to my heart which I have translated into this song.’ ”
Low tide in Talakali Village, Langa Langa Lagoon, Malaita Province.
Adding to the conversation is contributing artist William (stage name Khazin) who warned the audience by saying:
Coastal erosion at Telina, Nggatokae, Western Province.
“‘Climate change is not something that is distant nor foreign. Take a hard look at your villages, your islands and observe how your environment is changing. Climate change is real and it is happening in the Pacific and throughout the world. Understanding this new reality is a motivation to reflect on where you could come in to advance the solutions.’ ”
On taking action, the final contributing artist Heinz Dee (stage name ODD18), intervened by reminding especially the young students in the audience that the environment is not an abstract concept, it is an integral part of their life where they should be caring for. He continued by highlighting that one best action youth can take is to ‘mekem nois’ or making a lot of noise. Youth can do this through short videos and/or music which they could amplified via social media.
Heinz Dee performing alongside William and Camila.
Finally, wrapping up the Tok Stori Dr Transform warmly highlight in his intervention by saying,
“‘I am pleased to be sharing with our fellow young artists who are passionate about the effects of climate change and especially what we are not doing and who have expressed their feelings and sentiments through songs which is a powerful medium. I want to congratulate the artists who have dig deep from their depth of their hearts and reach out to us in their song, the urgency to take action. It is inspiring to see this initiative and event led by young people and that is indeed heartening. ”
Dr. Transform speaking as a panelist.
The conclusion of the interventions has excited audience who had many burning thoughts to share in which the facilitators allowed the audience to contribute.
A youth diligently added by saying that perhaps it is time concerned youth of this nation take up the challenge to pressure our leaders in order to prioritize the issue of climate change and other pressing issues. She explained further that youth long absence from participation and influencing decision-making process has left priorities unchecked by those in power.
The discussions ended with a resounding round of applause and in the height of the climax, the acoustic guitarists and artists took to the stage to perform The Islands Are Calling to the adoring audience who then joined in song as the event ended in a joyful spirit.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, climate change in the Pacific has been losing its priority across all levels of decision making. In spite of the repetitive call by former Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Dame Meg Taylor, her emphasis on the dual crisis was not fully reflected by governments across the region. In spite of this, many youth groups in the region have been maintaining their continued activism for climate action.
‘The Islands Are Calling’ performed by Camilla, Khazin and ODD18, it is a song that seeks to raise the voice of the youth who stand to lose the most are calling for action against the climate crisis while showing the wonders of Pacific life, heritage, art, nature, culture and tradition which are all sadly under threat by the climate crisis. The song and music video were officially launched on the 22nd of April 2021 and have been amplified throughout the Pacific and beyond.
Mr. Caleb Pollard the president of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change emphasized that, ‘Having events like these is a pathway for youth to raise their voices and act'. On behalf of the organization, he expresses his gratitude to everyone who attended the event, participated in the project and to the staffs & students of SINU who played a massive role in the success of the project and this event.
