Queen Elizabeth II visits Fiji exhibition in Norwich

Queen Elizabeth II visits Fiji exhibition in Norwich

By Naveel Krishant
Sunday 29/01/2017
Queen Elizabeth II visited an exhibition about Fiji in the English town of Norwich. (Photo: dailymail.co.uk)

On what was her first public engagement of the year, the Queen Elizabeth II visited an exhibition about Fiji in the English town of Norwich, where she watched a performance by a Fijian choir and unveiled a plaque.

The Queen reminisced about her six visits to the island nation as she was greeted by Fiji's High Commissioner, Jitoko Tikolevu, who showed his respect by performing a traditional welcome.

After shaking her hand, he knelt down on one knee and clapped his hand three times.

Tikolevu explained that it is  a sign of respect for the Royal Family only, insisting that many Fijians still regarded her as their Queen even though the country became a republic in 1987.

Queen Elizabeth II arrived at the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia also  greeted by Fijian warriors and the sounds of traditional drumming, she was shown around Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific, which aims to highlight the country’s art and culture since the 18th century with displays of sculptures, ceramics, weapons and clothing.

The exhibition also features footage of the Queen being given a whale tooth in Fiji in 1953.

It also included a traditional sailing canoe built for her 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor and mementos from her visits to the South Pacific nation.

She was presented with a box containing a photo album depicting her visits to Fiji and the exhibition.

Before she left she met Fijian students studying at the university and was treated to a traditional farewell song from the choir.

Fiji High Commissioner to Great Britian Jitoko Tikolevu says it was a song that the Queen knew well.

Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific' is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition about Fiji ever assembled in the UK, including over 280 objects and works of art on loan from museums across the UK and from the Fiji Museum.

FEATURE NEWS
Fiji and US sign historic defence agreement to boost security
Fiji and the United States have signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, marking a significant step in strengthening defence and security...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
World agrees to US$300b as financial aid for developing countries affected by climate change
The world has agreed to a new climate deal at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan with wealthy countries pledging to provide US$300 billion annually by 2035 ...
56 minutes ago

Tabuya chairs final day of Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference, urges for gender equality
Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya is urging for sustained efforts toward achieving gender equality and in promoting ...
1 hour ago

Island nations walk out of COP29 talks
As negotiators representing several island nations temporarily walked out of the COP29 climate summit last night, amid tense discussions over funding ...
4 hours ago

WWE Network to shut down and move to Netflix from January 2025
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Network Support has announced that they will be shutting down and moving to Netflix, which will be their new ...
5 hours ago

Preventing violence against women/girls is a national priority - PM
Preventing violence against women and girls is not just a social issue, it is a matter of national importance as violence robs our families of their ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
9 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
9 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
16 days ago

TOP