Fiji stages happiness takeover of San Francisco

The Bay Area is about to be overtaken by Fijian happiness, thanks to the arrival of the Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rugby team and a series of exciting public engagement events throughout the city, July 16-19, 2018.

Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways have partnered to bring Fiji’s world-renowned happiness and the “bula!” spirit to town (“bula” is the Fijian word for “life,” “good health,” and it is an overall general pleasant greeting.)

A series of Happiness Lands in San Francisco events, some open to the public, will bring to life the famed Fijian happiness, along with Fijian culture of dances and songs.

Monday, July 16, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Kava Ceremony, Kava Lounge San Francisco

Many parts of the world know kava as a trendy drink. In Fiji, kava is central to cultural ceremonies and everyday social life; performed at special occasions as a sign of respect, welcoming, and camaraderie among family and friends.

Kava, made with the crushed root of the yaqona plant, is a relative of the pepper plant.

Guests will learn about and experience the Fijian kava ceremony, with Fijian cultural expert Master Laisiasa Rokobuludrau. Fijian warriors will perform traditional songs and dances. The event is open to the public.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 from 10 a.m. to noon – Fijian Warrior Performances, Union Square

Fijian warriors will shake up downtown San Francisco’s Union Square with pop-up performances of lively dances called “meke” which tell the story of Fijian culture through dance and song. The event is open to the public and is free.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Fiji Airways Men’s 7s Visit to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland

The Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rugby team will pay a special visit to the sports medicine department at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland.

The team will meet with patients and the hospital community, along with local youth rugby program participants from the Oakland Warthogs.

Please note that this event is not open to the public.

Thursday, July 19, 2018 5 p.m. – Rugby World Cup Sevens Welcome Ceremony, Embarcadero Plaza

Free and open to the public, come join Fijian warriors as they pump up the energy during the official welcome for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The event will welcome the competing countries and their representative teams who are in town for the tournament –including the Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rugby team.

This is the first time the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament has been played in the United States.

The Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rugby team is in town to compete in the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament at AT&T Park, July 20-22 2018.

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Source: Blog