Our identity and language are not negotiable - Tagicakirewa
Festival of Pacific Arts opens in Hawaii

Our identity and language are not negotiable - Tagicakirewa

Festival of Pacific Arts opens in Hawaii

By Alipate Narawa
08/06/2024

Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Pita Tagicakirewa says our identity and language are not negotiable.

Tagicakirewa stated this after the Fiji Delegation lit up the stage at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) 2024 in Hawaii during the opening ceremony.

He says that message is part of what Fiji intends to do in safeguarding our culture.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

The Pacific came out in numbers for the official opening where each Pacific nation came forward and presented traditional gifts to the host country whether it be canoes, paddles, yams, artifacts, dances or song.

People were moved as some nations revealed things like how they were removed from their islands whether it be by mining, lack of water and resources or even nuclear testing.

One thing that was commonly acknowledged is the ocean that binds us all together whether we be known as Melanesian, Micronesian or Polynesian.

Represented last night were the delegations from Fiji, American Samoa, Australia, Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Rapa Nui, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna and Taiwan who was a guest of the U.S. and Hawaii.

The 13th FestPAC continues till June 16th with different activities and festivities to be held at different locations each day.

Stay with fijivillage as we bring you all the updates.

FEATURE NEWS
Chaudhry asks whether PM is related to Acting FICAC Commissioner and raises issue that PM cannot recommend who should be head of FICAC
Serious concerns are now being raised by Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry on whether Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika is related to ...
9 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Lineage of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara traced back to Ratu Seru Cakobau - Ratu Kalivati
The Vanua of Bau recognises the installation of the Tui Nayau and the Sau ni Vanua o Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, as a sign of respect and ...
9 hours ago

Danger zone : Pac Harbour Fire Station closes this Friday due to NFA relocation issues
Pacific Harbour Fire Station is closing down as the plot is owned by Damodar Yatu Lau Pte Limited which has taken it back for development and the ...
9 hours ago

State asks for more time in case of man who trespassed at PM's residence
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked for more time in the case of Mokani farmer, Waisea Naitini who was charged with ...
11 hours ago

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar recharged after discontinued case
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar have been ...
11 hours ago

COMPOL says it is easy to assume things based on a video that shows only one side of the story
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu is reiterating calls for members of the public to cooperate with Police or face possible charges. This ...
11 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
14 hours ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
3 days ago

Pacific Mini Games in Palau, 2025
Full coverage of Team Fiji's journey through the 2025 Palau Games.
5 days ago

TOP