President Launches Vunilagi Art Exhibition
President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, launched the Fiji Corrections Service exhibition at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last Thursday evening.
The exhibited art pieces and crafts on display were all handiworks of serving inmates and gift ideas or collector pieces for personal mementoes. In his remarks, President Ratu Wiliame said that the name Vunilagi is rather fitting as it is synonymous with Christmas.
“It is said that art stimulates an individual’s emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and ideas through the senses, which can be made or interpreted based on images or objects being portrayed by the artist or perceived by the reader and likewise the art pieces and crafts on display tonight portray and reflect the spirit of Christmas,” he said.
“I must first salute the artists for their creativity and vision in having the pieces fulfil their intended outcomes. Their talents and skills that are on display tonight tell a story that they wish for us to appreciate and acknowledge.”
“I am well aware that it is not easy to prepare and successfully put out to the public an art exhibition as such, and I am certain a lot of work has been done to have this dream realised.”
President Ratu Wiliame also acknowledged the foresight of the former Commissioner of Corrections, Major-General Iowane Naivalurua, for his foresight and commitment to the cause of rehabilitation for inmates and their successful reintegration back into society, which saw the birth of the Yellow Ribbon Initiative and the establishment of the Tagimoucia Art Gallery in 2008.
After being revamped in 2016, the initiative has allowed the Fiji Corrections Service to convene two art exhibitions each year to cater to the growing interest in art pieces and designed craftwork.
“Tonight, I wish to also importantly acknowledge the current Commissioner of Corrections, Commander Kean, for continuing the vision that was birthed in 2008. The Fiji Corrections Service values rehabilitation as its core mission, vision, and motto. This is seen in the several rehabilitation initiatives that have been undertaken over the years,” he said.
“I particularly also recognise, the stalwart voluntary support by Mrs Jane Ricketts and the current support of Mr Alifereti Malai and Mr Larry Thomas and officers of the Fiji Corrections Service that have similar skillset and have continued this journey.”
The Fiji Corrections Services also carries out other rehabilitation initiatives centred on the Yellow Ribbon Project of ‘Giving a Second Chance’.
The first is the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of ExOffenders or (CARE) network, a platform initiated by the Fiji Corrections service to strategically reach out to the 14 provinces.
The second is Sow the Seed Programme, a mentoring programme developed by Fiji Corrections for volunteers who wish to offer their time, resources, and expertise in developing mentoring services and restoring the lives of young inmates at the Nasinu Corrections Centre.
The third rehabilitation milestone is the Montfort Boys Town partnership, where the young inmates from Nasinu are allowed to undertake vocational studies.
The fourth is the Nasinu Vocational Training School, located within the Nasinu Correction Centre itself, which was launched in 2018 and certified under the Fiji Higher Education Commission.