Nadi Bula Festival launches five-year campaign to build Bula House

Construction of Bula House, a facility that will serve as an evacuation centre, community venue and leisure space for the elderly, will be the flagship project of the Nadi Bula Festival over the next five years.

Festival president Salome Williams announced the initiative during the opening of the 66th Nadi Bula Festival at King Charles Park on Saturday, saying the project would become the festival's major fundraising focus.

"For the next five years Bula House will be our special project, which will house evacuation and community centre venues and a leisure house for the elderly," Ms Williams said.

She said this year's fundraising campaign would also support the installation of three surveillance cameras in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, the Fiji Police Force and the Nadi Town Council.

"We humbly request the partnership of our sponsors to come aboard towards this project.

"Nadi, please know that this is your festival, your beautiful town. We need your support in the act of giving to the Bula Festival Project.

"Let us make Nadi Bula House our next venture and take that legacy to another level," she said.

Opening the festival, Fiji Airways chief strategy, transformation and risk officer Athil Narayan said this year's theme, "Unity, Tradition, Tourism and Aviation," reflected the important role aviation played in connecting people, supporting businesses and strengthening communities.

"At Fiji Airways, we believe aviation is about more than connecting destinations. It is about connecting people, cultures, families and opportunities," he said.

"Every visitor we welcome to Fiji contributes to our communities, our businesses and our shared prosperity. Festivals such as this showcase the warmth, culture and hospitality that make Fiji truly unique."

Mr Narayan said the Nadi Bula Festival had grown beyond an annual celebration to become a symbol of unity, generosity and community service.

"The Nadi Bula Festival reminds us that our greatest strength lies in unity. When government, businesses, community organisations, volunteers and individuals work together, we can achieve extraordinary things for future generations."

He thanked organisers, volunteers, sponsors and contestants for sustaining one of Fiji's longest-running charitable festivals and encouraged the public to support its fundraising efforts.

"I encourage everyone to celebrate safely, support the charitable cause and enjoy the week of festivities with family and friends. May this festival strengthen our bonds, celebrate our rich traditions, and inspire hope for an even brighter future for Nadi and for Fiji," he said.