Hibiscus Festival has no doubt over the many years become a house brand much anticipated by the general public during the month of August. Dubbed as the mother of all festivals in Fiji, Hibiscus Festival is now more than that just of being a charity and basic food stall week, but an event with exciting programs, spectacular contestant shows, various products distribution and the normal variety food stalls and amusement rides.
History shows that the first Hibiscus festival was staged in 1956, sixty years ago. Organised by the then Jaycees, the then city council leaders did play a significant role in organising the same. Since then it has been a city council calendar event for many years. History shows that for period of time the festival had lapsed and the Suva City leaders decided to revive it.
It is interesting to see that the structure, to guarantee continuity, has Suva City Council and Suva Retailers Association as its trustees. No doubt the executives of the festival have been progressing work positively.
This year’s festival has been planned over a 9 day and I have been informed by the management that the festival shall be fun and entertainment filled with amusement rides, various variety of food, discounted house ware and white goods, free medical and dental checks, witnessed public and talent judging, free entertainments, opening march, contestant crowning, float procession, microfinance awareness, housing awareness, telecommunication awareness, and also witnessed Fijian made products displayed and sold. The event is also televised through FBC TV and Fiji TV within Fiji Islands and live screening through Sky Pacific to 15 other nations in the South Pacific.
The carnival venue has been selected strategically for purpose of quality. It is an ideal venue based on the infrastructure and access availability. It shall allow programs to be staged at a better standard.
The organisation of the festival at this magnitude certainly requires resources. The consistent support provided by Vodafone is no doubt highly acknowledged and seen as a private public partnership model successfully modelled for good returns. Vodafone’s consistent support to the staging of festivals in towns and cities is highly appreciated. I also wish to acknowledge all other partners who are playing an active role in the organisation of the Hibiscus Festival.
One of the definite calendar programs for all town and city councils shall now be hosting of town and city festivals. This has commenced last year and my ministry is working closely with councils to enable improving to standards of the carnival hosted at various towns and cities.
To progress the same, from last year Fiji pageants is now being organised annually where all town and city councils enter into contest for the title of Miss Fiji. Miss Fiji then represents Fiji at the Miss South Pacific Island Pageants. Last year Fiji Pageants was successfully hosted at Nadi. This year Miss Fiji Pageant, with a more qualitative structure, shall be hosted by Suva. Winner shall represent Fiji at the Miss South Pacific Islands Pageant. To add, in 2017 Miss South Pacific Islands Pageant shall be hosted at Nadi.
The reorganisation and getting Miss Fiji organised annually has seen a bigger interest in local festivals. It also blends well with the agenda of promoting gender equality and youth empowerment.
Theme selected for this year “Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility” is highly interesting. The theme is certainly promoting for a more wider actors to educate and assist in road safety which is important. Such important programs can simply not be left to the Land Transport Authority or drivers to implement. It is something that needs everyone to be involved to ensure better road safety. A number of areas need a wider level of actors such as jaywalking and effective animal control along roadsides. I hope that the week-long festival is able to effectively capture these areas and create awareness.
I have been informed that this year’s festival shall have 12 queen, 12 king, 12 teen 10 Prince and 10 princessess participating. My best wishes to all the participants. It is with interest to note that charity proceeds collected certain percentage shall be diverted to the Honourable Prime Minister’s Relief Trust account. This is indeed highly welcoming. It adds value to the festival and shows that the carnival is itself geared towards nation building. Finally I wish to take this opportunity to wish all the stakeholders the best of luck for the Hibiscus Carnival 2016.
With these words I have now much pleasure in officially launching the 2016 Hibiscus Festival.
