Fijian Language Week 2024 launched in New Zealand

Fijian Language Week 2024 or Macawa ni Vosa VakaViti was officially launched today (7/10/24) with a flag-raising ceremony at the Pataka Art Museum Hall, Porirua, Wellington. This marks the beginning of a week-long celebration around New Zealand of Fiji’s rich indigenous linguistic and cultural heritage.

The event was attended by leaders of the Fijian community, Porirua City Council Mayor Anita Baker, dignitaries, and supporters of Pacific languages and cultures.

Speaking at the event, High Commissioner of Fiji to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola emphasised the significance of the Fijian language as not only a mode of communication but also as a living testament to the nation’s history, identity, and collective spirit.

He shared personal stories from his family about the challenges and importance of teaching children their mother tongues.

The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of Fijian as a core element of the Fijian people’s identity, stating, “Our mother tongue, Fijian, is not merely a means of communication; it is a living testament to our history and a bridge that connects us to our ancestors and our future generations.”

Ratu Inoke encouraged Fijian parents, guardians, and elders to continue passing the language down to younger generations: “When we speak Fijian at home, we are not just preserving our language; we are fostering a sense of belonging and pride in our children. We are instilling in them the understanding that our language is an integral part of their identity.”

The 2024 theme for Fijian Language Week, that runs from 6th October to 12th October 2024 is ‘Vakamareqeta na Vosa Vakaviti – Nurture and sustain the Fijian language.’

This theme derives from the overarching Language Week Series theme for 2024, ‘Sustainability’.