Grand Girmit Day celebration planned for Lautoka
Fiji Girmit Council secretary Selwa Nandan says people in Lautoka can expect a grand Girmit Day celebration this Saturday at Churchill Park.
This will be the first time the Government has declared a national public holiday to mark the historical occasion.
“The event will feature various activities, including a march, float procession, oratory competition, drama, girmit video, cultural programs, and exhibitions, and is expected to attract over a thousand people, including secondary school students from the western division,” he said.
Students from various schools will assemble at Shirley Park at 8am and march through the city to Churchill Park where formalities will be held.
Mr Nandan said the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka would be the chief guest at the celebration which costs between $20,000 to $25,000 to host..
The Lautoka City Council will also be organising a four-day mini carnival from May 12 –15.
“We are so grateful to the Coalition Government for bestowing this fitting honour in the memory of the girmitiyas,” he said.
He said Girmit Day acknowledged the immense contribution of the girmitiyas in the economic development of this country.
“They endured a lot of hardship and ill-treatment and lived in slave-like conditions, but they persevered till the end. Today we are enjoying the fruits of their hard labour and sacrifice. They are no longer with us but the least we can do is pay tribute to them for the legacy they have left behind for all of us,” he said.
This will also be an opportunity for the younger generation to learn more about what girmit is all about.
“Descendants are still holding on to their traditions, cultures and religion even those who have migrated to other countries,” he said.
“The Fiji Girmit Council is doing its best to preserve and promote our art, language and culture through the various programmes we offer at our Girmit Multicultural Center in Lautoka. We have close to 80 students enrolled in our classes.”
He said celebrations this weekend would also see the honouring of elderly girmitiya descendants with awards in recognition of their contribution and service to Fiji.