9 Oct 2012

Fiji celebrates 42 years of independence this week

5:11 am on 9 October 2012

Fiji is celebrating its independence this week with special events around the country and a focus on national unity.

Fiji Day on Wednesday will mark 42 years since independence.

Alex Perrottet reports.

"Under the theme 'Celebrating a United Fiji', the Government has spent over 50,000 US dollars organising cultural celebrations such as mekes, police jazz band performances, and military parades. There will be a friendship march in the main towns of in Suva, Labasa, Lautoka and the old capital Levuka. The date has also been chosen by the country's airline Air Pacific, to unveil new designs of its re-branded A330 aircraft's, which are due to arrive next year when the airline converts back to Fiji Airways. The Ministry of Information says there is a sense of unity about Fiji Day, with businesses and tourists also getting involved. The national celebrations coincide with the final day for the constitutional commission to receive written submissions from citizens."