A Young Girls Music Festival to encourage young talents in music was held on Friday evening, August 6 in Nuku'alofa.

Hosted by Talitha Project the festival had around 100 adolescent girls taking part from various schools and groups from throughout Tongatapu and the outer islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai.

Talitha Project Founder Vanessa Heleta said today, the festival was a platform to encourage and appreciate these young talents in music and art.

"Every item reflected their talent because it is very important that we create a platform to enhance their creativity," she said.

One of the performers, 'Elisapesi Koloamatangi (18) wrote an original song titled 'Unbroken' which she sang and played the guitar to encourage women and girls who are experiencing domestic violence to stand strong, she said.

"The festival was more than just music, it provided a platofrm where the girls expressed issues important to them."

The program were in two parts, featured eight booths in various forms like art, karaoke, and information on COVID-19, Girls in Rugby, cyber bullying and photography. This raised their awareness of Talitha's mandate, current activities and also boost their self-confidence to dream big, she said.

The main event was the stage when the girls took part in choir singing, singing with instruments as well as Tongan-Polynesian dances and Tik Tok.

Held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, the festival was part of Talitha Project's “My Body, My Rights Program” under a Pacific Girls Program funded by the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development, an Australian initiative.