President, His Excellency, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere says the Fiji Museum has over the years become a significant attraction for visitors to Suva.
While opening the Fiji Museum Voyages: stories of an ocean people exhibition recently in Suva, Ratu Wiliame said the museum has contributed greatly to the local economy in terms of revenue generated for local vendors and business institutions.
“I am therefore certain that the re-opening of our museum in tandem with the docking of cruise liners at the Suva Wharf, and post-pandemic opening of international borders will contribute towards a surge in visitor numbers eager to engage and learn about our heritage and history.”
“Fiji’s 5 to 20 years National Development Plan enables an environment for socio-cultural development through partnerships that will reach new and diverse audiences.”
“This milestone achievement by the Fiji Museum is indicative of the many partnerships, donor support, and the continued backing of Government to ensure that the standards attained in museum curation and education are benchmarked to International best practices for exhibition.”
“As a Pacific family we may differ in our traditions, customs and ways of life but one thing is certain, we are connected through the vast Pacific Ocean and while our beliefs vary, the ‘Mana’ from our Oceans shows the deep connection between our people and our ancestors.”
Ratu Wiliame highlighted that there is no better place to house the stories of our Ocean than at the National Museum which is the custodian of more than 10,000 objects, and over 100 years of history that validates our stories, our culture and our heritage.
“For centuries, Museums have played an integral role in preserving our history. If it were not for the foresight of the Fijian Society in 1908, and the presentation of his collection of artifacts by Sir William Allardyce to the Suva Town Board the existence of a National Museum for all Fijians would have never been.”
“Over the years, descendants of explorers, colonialists, missionaries and collectors have assisted in the deposit and repatriation of Fijian objects from international institutions. These eventually amassing to become the Fiji Museum collection are in itself a significant resource for our children, students, researchers, the Fijian diaspora, local communities and general public alike.”
“Fiji Museum team have prepared for you that will captivate your imagination making the two-year closure during the pandemic well worth the wait. This evening you will also witness the opening of one of the five main galleries of the Fiji Museum.”
“After more than three decades of unstructured curation and disconnected storylines, this first of many innovative exhibitions at the Fiji Museum promotes two principles which is to Inspire and to Educate.”
“The Voyages – Stories of an Ocean People displays a collection of evidence of indigenous origins through migrations, settlements, traditional knowledge, associated practices and an array of Fijian stories.”
“The collection of objects used, its history and knowledge serve as a comprehensive database for information to inform and inspire current and future generations facing unique climate challenges such as global warming, sea level rise, extreme weather conditions and many more. Similarly, the exhibition is a platform that allows the exchange of ideas, educational learnings and a wealth of knowledge for our young people.”
“The theme of this new exhibition as it honours Fiji’s rich maritime history and long-standing relationship with the ocean. This resonates with a subject that is dear to me and I have devoted my life to champion and create advocacy on.”
“Through my traditional role as the Tui Macuata, I steward the safeguarding of our ocean, our ecosystems and the environment through communal efforts which embrace our traditional knowledge systems. This exhibition harnesses cultural knowledge and skills in such impressive forms such as the iconic Ratu Finau Drua.”
