The Department of Heritage and Arts is now known as the Department of Culture, Heritage and Arts.
According to department director Collin Yabaki, it has also been moved from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
“The move is applauded and there is a general feeling that our work towards the safeguarding of our culture, heritage and arts has returned to its rightful place where there is shared vision,” he said during the launch of the 2023 Chinese New Year events yesterday.
“Since 2015, the China Cultural Centre and the Department of Culture, Heritage and Arts has always had a very cordial and profitable partnership – there have been cultural exchanges which has benefited us in many ways.”
He said the celebration of the Chinese New Year – the Year of Rabbit – was another important collaboration between the department and the centre.
“This is the time to rejoice, merry-making, developing new friendships, business partnerships and collaboration and as relations between the two countries have strengthened over the past decade, we will continue to strengthen it in the future.”
Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to Fiji Wang Xuguang said the Year of the Rabbit stamps had a combination of the Chinese zodiac rabbit and the Chinese traditional folk culture which had been welcomed by Fijians since its announcement on social media.
“This reflects the love of the Fijian people for the Chinese culture as it helps promote cultural communication and deepens the friendship between our two people,” he said.
“We can surely expect that the cultural exchanges between China and Fiji will be more colourful in the Year of the Rabbit, so that it provides a stronger and friendly relationship between China and Fiji.”
The launch of the 2023 Chinese New Year events included the award paper-cutting competition winners, the unveiling of the Year of the Rabbit stamps and the opening of the “Discover the Beauty of Snow and Ice in China” exhibition.
