The Department of National Heritage, Culture & Arts has promised to promote cultural diversity after absorbing the Multi Ethnic Cultural Centre into its portfolio.
Education Minister, Mr Filipe Bole said, “The national coordinating agency for culture and heritage activities in the country, the Department of National Heritage is moving towards the realization of its principal mandates set by government when it established the department in the year 2000”.
“The department was tasked to promote and safeguard cultural diversity and enhancement of various ethnic communities in Fiji for peace-building, progress and posterity.
“Pivotal to that task is the implementation of some key strategic areas, specifically the setting up of cultural spaces (such as cultural centre) to enhance the revitalisation of cultures.
“The current and foreseeable future activities of the multi-ethnic cultural centre is to propel the common vision of promoting cultural activities for the development of better understanding among the diverse cultures in Fiji and therefore fulfilling the essence of the People’s Charter toward Building a Better Fiji.”
The Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre was previously known as the Indian Cultural Centre prior to 1987.
The change in name occurred after the establishment of the Department of Multi-Ethnic Affairs in 2001 to include the promotion and teaching of cultural elements of all ethnic groups in Fiji.
The centre continues to celebrate the diversity of the Indian culture through classes it offers.
Core classes in the centre concentrate mostly on music and performing arts, while some tend to diversify and explore other contemporary art form.
-End-