FOR Fiji, the Road to Serbia is about more than travelling overseas, it is an opportunity to tell the country’s story, showcase its people and culture, and give young Fijians a place on the international stage.
Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru launched the Road to Serbia: Fiji’s Expo 2027 Belgrade Initiative during the Navosa Youth Festival, describing Fiji’s participation in the specialised expo as an opportunity to share the country’s story with the world.
Expo 2027 Belgrade will be held in Serbia from May 15 to August 15, 2027, under the global theme “Playing for Humanity. Sport and Music for All”.
Fiji will participate under its national pavilion theme, “Bula Spirit, Play, Connect, Thrive”.
For Saukuru, the words capture values that are central to Fiji.
“We value connection, we value community, we value our culture, we value sport, we value creativity, and we value the relationships that bring people together,” he said.
Taking Fiji to the world
The Government has supported Fiji’s participation in Expo 2027, which will provide a platform for the country to showcase its tourism, culture, sporting excellence, creative industries and youth development.
But the opportunities extend beyond visibility.
The expo is expected to open doors for stronger international partnerships, trade and investment, new opportunities for Fijians and greater cultural connections.
For Saukuru, young people will be an important part of that journey.
“Importantly, our young people will be part of the journey – our young people on the world stage,” he said.
The Road to Serbia initiative is intended to create pathways for young Fijians to connect with the world, showcase their abilities and play their part in representing Fiji internationally.
Saukuru said young people had talent, creativity, sporting ability, business ideas and stories to share.
“You have something unique to offer,” he said.
He urged young Fijians not to allow their place of origin to limit their ambitions.
“Do not limit your dreams because of where you come from,” he said.
“Dream beyond your village, dream beyond your school, dream beyond your community, believe in your talent, believe in your ability, and believe that your skills and your hard work can take you places you may never have imagined.”
Yet, as young Fijians look towards the world beyond their communities, Saukuru reminded them to carry their origins with them.
“Wherever your journey takes you, never forget where you come from,” he said.
“Carry your culture with pride, carry your values with pride and most importantly, carry the Bula spirit with you.”
A global platform
According to the Road to Serbia guide, Expo 2027 Belgrade is a specialised expo recognised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
It will provide Fiji with a platform to showcase its identity, build partnerships and create lasting impact for its people and their future.
The expo is expected to attract more than four million visitors, with more than 120 countries expected to participate.
It will also be the first specialised expo hosted in the Western Balkans.
Participating countries are expected to use the expo for national visibility, economic diplomacy, innovation exchange, culture and creativity, education and youth, and the promotion of a sustainable future.
For Fiji, the participation aligns with national priorities of building a resilient economy, empowering its people and strengthening the country’s place in the world.
It will also provide an opportunity to showcase Fiji’s uniqueness and values.
Fiji’s vision for Expo 2027 is to showcase the essence of the country, its people, culture and potential – while building meaningful connections that create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
Bringing Fiji to Belgrade
At the centre of Fiji’s participation will be its national pavilion, designed to provide a vibrant and immersive experience that brings the heart of Fiji to Belgrade.
The pavilion theme, “Bula Spirit, Play, Connect, Thrive”, will provide the framework for telling Fiji’s story.
The expo will not be a single-day event.
According to the Expo 2027 guide, it will be a “living breathing experience” that evolves throughout the 93 days with something new to discover for visitors who attend once or return.
Daily cultural and musical performances will form part of the program, alongside international exhibitions and national pavilions.
There will also be business and networking opportunities, workshops, talks and interactive experiences.
Sports and play spaces will be spread across the expo site, reflecting the event’s global theme of “Playing for Humanity”.
For Fiji, the expo will therefore provide several ways to connect with visitors – through culture, creativity, sport, business and the stories of its people.
A journey for young Fijians
The Road to Serbia initiative places young people within that larger national journey.
Saukuru said Fiji’s young people had a role to play in taking the country’s story to the world.
“The road to Serbia is not simply about Fiji travelling overseas, it is about giving our people, especially our young people, the opportunity to take Fiji’s story to the world,” he said.
The initiative offers a pathway for young Fijians to showcase their abilities and represent their country on an international stage.
It also carries a message about ambition: that talent and hard work can take young people beyond the boundaries of their villages, schools and communities.
But the journey is not about leaving those places behind.
Instead, Saukuru’s message is that young Fijians should carry their culture and values with them as they step onto a larger stage.
The Bula spirit, he said, should remain at the heart of that journey.
Coconut weaving crafts were on display at the booth.
Picture: ANA
MADIGIBULI
Youths demonstrate how a traditional kava ceremony is performed inside the expo booth. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
A few pottery wares were also on display inside the expo booth. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
Youths showcase how a traditional skirt is made at the expo booth. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
