Kamailelani Grace of Living Legends embodies the spirit of Samoa’s “Sāsā.”
In June, BYU Living Legends went on an exciting tour through France and Belgium. This unique ensemble, featuring a Polynesian section, a Latin section, and a Native American section, brought a blend of diverse traditions to local European communities, making their performances a fresh and exhilarating experience for all audiences.
The group began in Paris, where they participated in a workshop at the Ori Tahiti Dance Studio. This collaboration was a fun experience for the BYU students and the Tahitian dancers, who taught the students a contemporary Tahitian dance. To express thanks, the BYU students shared a Native American song, “Remember Me” by Cree and Salish musician Fawn Wood.
Living Legends also dedicated time to outreach efforts at a refugee center. Melia Losik from the Native American section shares her reflections: “It was such a beautiful day being able to spend time with the children and with the people who offered their services to the program. I was taken aback by the incredibly kind and selfless people who shared with us. Although we were there to offer our service, I felt as though we were the ones being served. It was incredible to hear their stories and understand where they came from while also sharing our own stories.”
During their stay in Paris, the ensemble explored iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles, where they learned more about French history and culture. They also organized an outreach performance for local youth and families of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of the students expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the local Church members. For the performers, this experience went beyond tourism: It was about a mutual sharing of legacies with people on the other side of the world.
The next leg of the journey took Living Legends to Belgium, where they participated in a festival held by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) in Saint-Ghislain. They performed multiple times a day at the festival, entertaining audiences of all ages. Ben Lopez from the Latin section says, “It was a really cool experience to perform as BYU Living Legends at the festival. Most of the groups that perform there only represent one country, but we represent several cultures—from islands to countries to tribes. The Native American section especially provided a unique experience as they shared rich parts of their heritage and culture with audience members who had never seen Native American dances before.”
Their visit to Brussels included a significant performance at the Wolubilis theater, graciously hosted by the Church’s European Union Office and International Affairs Office. This event served as an invitation for international ambassadors and delegates to get to know BYU and build relationships between organizations. Before wrapping up their European tour, Living Legends held a devotional for the local youth of the Church and engaged in a meaningful service project in which they assembled hygiene kits for people experiencing homelessness in the city.
Looking Ahead
The tour of France and Belgium was a remarkable journey for BYU Living Legends, and they are now preparing for their tour to Wyoming and Colorado this fall and to Western Canada in the spring of 2025.
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