Tag: Fiji

Levuka makes a memorable first impression. Arriving by sea,  colourful storefronts and historic buildings are framed by the forested slopes of an extinct volcano rising sharply behind the township. Levuka, as Fiji’s first capital (1874-1882), is a town of many firsts. It is a significant cultural world heritage site under the United Nations Educational, Scientific […]

By Prerna Priyanka Ben Masirewa, who has been dubbed a “one-man musical genius,” is returning to the Fiji Fringe Festival after his blazing performance last year. Masirewa credits his father for instilling a rebellious spirit within him, fostering a love for rock ‘n’ roll and encouraging him to dare to be different.  “He dared me […]

By Samantha Magick and Elizabeth Kolivuso Suva painter Jane Ricketts’ paintings are a window into Fiji’s history and history-makers, iTaukei and Indo-Fijian culture, cityscapes and intimate depictions of her family. Ricketts developed her interest in art at a very young age, at the knee of her grandfather, who painted landscapes. But it was a turning […]

By Rowena Singh “There’s never a last song,” says InsideOut lead singer and guitarist, Apakuki Nalawa about the band’s ability to fill dancefloors. “We have to literally run off the stage. People just don’t want to stop partying, dancing and singing.” InsideOut’s passion, iTaukei lyrics, melody and instrumentation has brought them fame across Fiji and […]

By Ben Wheeler For many, the name Martin Scorsese is synonymous with American cinema. His films Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas are considered by many to be among the greatest Hollywood has ever produced. Others like After Hours and The King of Comedy have a distinctly cult following and have inspired art as varied […]

By Samisoni Pareti Located on the northwest tip of Vanuabalavu, Lau, tiny limestone islets— many of them looking more like boulders –litter the bay to make up this natural wonder. The limestone rocks are secure anchors, and the many narrow channels and sheltered coves form natural anchorage and berthing bays for yachts, motorboats and other […]

By Rowena Singh It’s hard to imagine a more refreshing drink option than a cold glass of Ginger Lei’s lemongrass or moli ginger beer, pumped straight from a frosty keg. You may have tried it at the ROC Market or at the Ginger Café in Suva, or poolside at the Sofitel Resort on Denarau. Now […]

By Prerna Priyanka In a captivating intersection of art, environmental awareness, and cultural storytelling, Mere Nailatikau and Amer Kanngieser are set to launch their groundbreaking exhibition, “Oceanic Refractions.” The exhibition, which originated from a serendipitous encounter in Suva five years ago, promises a unique sensory experience that delves into the Pacific’s environmental challenges through the […]

By Samantha Magick On the Suva seawall at Nasese, a huge heart faces out to sea. The site of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, it is a symbol of the passion a family and the community they have built, have brought to caring for Pacific children with congenital heart defects. Established by the […]

By Prerna Priyanka Tourism Fiji has joined forces with Mastercard to offer surfing enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the waves of Cloudbreak with three-time world champion surfer, Mick Fanning. The exclusive week-long trip at Namotu Island Surf Resort has already captured the imagination of global surfing fans. Now, in a unique twist, Tourism Fiji […]

By Samantha Magick A new detective novel set in Fiji brings to life a time rarely discussed beyond academic texts; the experiences of Indian labourers under Girmit. A Disappearance in Fiji follows Akal Singh, a 25-year-old Sikh police officer, sent to Fiji in disgrace after an indiscretion in his previous posting of Hong Kong. He […]

Fiji Airways has launched its newest international route to New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea. “We are very excited about the prospects of this new route”, said Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen. The first flight to La Tontouta International Airport in Noumea will be on Thursday 30th November and starting 7th December, […]

By Prerna Priyanka Self-taught artist, Jeke Viwalu Lagi’s new show Variant at the Gallery of Oceanian Art in Suva shows off his abstract expressionism in a new way, through the use of woodwork and paint. The exhibition at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus, is a captivating display of Lagi’s distinct woodwork creations […]

By Asenaca Uluiviti and Sadhana Sen Fiji recently lost Dr Meraia Taufa Vakatale, a monumental woman leader who broke many glass ceilings with her numerous firsts. As an educationalist, diplomat and politician, she profoundly impacted the lives of tens of thousands in Fiji and the region, particularly young women in politics and anti-nuclear activists. Dr […]

By Max Cross Mason James Lee has been a leading light in the Fiji art scene since his first exhibition in 2000. The self-taught, award-winning painter, muralist and interior designer, is of Chinese and iTaukei heritage. Born and raised in Suva, Mason feels a deep connection with his paternal family land in Bua on the […]

Last weekend saw the release of two of the biggest films of 2023: Oppenheimer and Barbie, known collectively as “Barbenheimer”.  As hundreds of thousands of cinemagoers around the world got together to watch both blockbusting releases, we sent our new film reviewer Ben Wheeler out to see what all the fuss was about… Oppenheimer (dir. […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti The Makete Fashion Show promises to be a night filled with culture, art, and talent, showcasing the incredible local talent to be found in Suva. Creative coordinator and Assistant Director of the Pacifique Artisans Collective, Shakira Ah-Koy Mcdonald, is continuing the legacy of the women in her family by encouraging and promoting […]

A day at Malamala Island By Ben Wheeler “Welcome to Paradise!” our sunny Fijian guide beams through the speaker system as our catamaran arrives at the picture perfect Malamala Island Resort. It’s a bold claim, but then Fiji has a habit of living up to this regularly-served slice of marketing jargon, astounding visitors with its […]

By Kite Pareti The use of renewables in Fiji has eased the load for Atunaisa Cawaki. The 69-year-old was a underground cable jointer for the-then Fiji Electricity Authority (now Energy Fiji Limited) between the 1970s and the 2000s. From Pacific Harbour to Labasa, Cawaki and a group of apprentices he supervised laid some of the […]

Local filmmakers finally getting screentime By Ben Wheeler “Every culture has the right and responsibility to present its own culture to its own people,” writes New Zealand filmmaker Barry Barclay.  “That responsibility is so fundamental it cannot be left in the hands of outsiders, nor usurped by them.” These words seem more relevant in Fiji […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Yesterday marked a special day for the descendants of the Girmityas in Fiji as they commemorated not only the shared pain of their history, but also the deep friendship that they share with indigenous Fijians. In a moving traditional ceremony in Naivilaca village in Noco, Rewa, home of the people who rescued […]

Tourism Fiji says the Fiji Tourism Convention will be held on November 2nd this year.  The Convention will be bringing together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss and deliberate the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector.  At the recent Fijian Tourism Expo 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka shared the importance of […]

By Alipate Pareti Fiji’s Naibili Vatunisolo is one of the best parasports athletes in the South Pacific region, having won a bronze medal in discus at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She acquired her disability after undergoing knee surgery in 2010. In 2017, she represented Fiji in the Fazza Para-Athletics Championships in Dubai, and […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti The 10th FIPRA (Fiji Performing Rights Association) Awards 2023 promises to be glamourous celebration of the original work of Fijian artists, filled with good food, good company, and amazing live performances. FIPRA’s Chairman, Eremasi Tamanisau, says “the awards celebrate the many different composers, vocalists, instrumentalist artists, recording engineers, and musicians for sustaining […]