Fijian In Albania Releases Poetry Collection Book

There comes a point in your life when you need to tell your story. If you don’t, nobody else will.

Kelera Tuvou-Ganiva­tu, or Kelera, as fondly known in her literary circles, has done just that.

A newly released poet­ry collection titled, ‘The Peregrine Falcon’s Cry’ aims to showcase the many facets of Fijian life and culture from the past and the future.

Released in Albania and written by Fijian writer and poet, Ms Tuvou-Ganivatu, the po­ems featured in the book aim to portray Fijian and Pacific issues glob­ally specifically focus­ing on indigenous issues.

The Ra native, who now resides and works as a teacher in Albania, said her poems intend to open con­versation on the complexities sur­rounding identity, culture, politics and status at national, regional and international levels.

Ms Tuvou-Ganivatu said a spe­cial feature of the book was that it focused on the complexities faced by women writers from her expe­riences as a writer herself.

“Most importantly I would like to encourage young, invisible or emerging writers from the Pa­cific, especially Fiji, to take up creative writing and explore the journey of self-publishing as a vi­able means to publish their books whether they are planted in Fiji or in diaspora,” Ms Tuvou-Ganivatu said.

“A few of the poems also capture a ‘turbulent period’ in Fiji’s histo­ry, transforming these experienc­es into a song of healing and hope. This exquisitely crafted book, draws from the collective cries of Pacific Island poets, illuminating a critical period by presenting po­etry in various spoken word and Fijian structural styles.

The verses are laden with local imageries and sensi­bilities unique to the Fijian culture. Careful­ly crafted and layered, her poems are a pot­pourri of emotions. It evokes various moods, but she bares it all when it comes to truth.

“The collection is peppered with iTaukei words and phrases, with a clear context so even non-iTaukei speaking readers will be able to comprehend them and learn some new indigenous Fijian words along the way.

“The iTaukei indige­nous Fijian literature, as well as the Pacific Literature collection, would benefit signifi­cantly from the edition of this book.”

The book was officially launched on August 29, by Ms Tuvou-Gani­vatu. Some of the poems in the book were written 10 years before she decided to compile them into a collection.

“Living overseas, I miss Fiji a lot and started to write stories and poems to remember my home­land,” she said.

The poetry collection is currently available on Kindle as well as on a paperback version from Amazon.

Report by LUKE RAWALAI

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