Held at the Fiji Museum with free public access throughout the day, the celebration brought together government institutions, cultural agencies, youth, communities, artisans and visitors through a vibrant programme of exhibitions, performances, demonstrations and interactive learning activities.
The event reflected the shared commitment of UNESCO Pacific, the Fiji Museum and partner institutions to strengthen collaboration in the safeguarding and promotion of Fiji’s rich heritage and the broader cultural landscape of the Pacific region.
Opening celebrations featured a traditional iTaukei welcome ceremony and meke performance, followed by a special kesakesa art launch led by renowned masi artisan Laijipa Kebatoga through the ceremonial stencilling of a white masi, celebrating the continued vitality of living heritage and artistic traditions in Fiji.
The ceremony further acknowledged the continued cooperation and commitment of the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts under the leadership of Honourable Charan Jeath Singh, Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, and Dr Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary, together with the Fiji Arts Council, in advancing Fiji’s cultural sector and strengthening efforts to safeguard and promote cultural heritage.
Speaking during the event, UNESCO highlighted the significance of this year’s International Museum Day theme. At a time of increasing global uncertainty and social fragmentation, museums continue to play an essential role as spaces for dialogue, understanding and connection. Across the Pacific, museums safeguard living heritage, traditional knowledge, languages and stories that continue to shape communities today.
This vision aligns closely with UNESCO’s 2015 Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society, which recognizes museums not simply as places preserving collections, but as institutions contributing to education, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development. Globally, UNESCO estimates that the number of museums has grown from approximately 22,000 in 1975 to more than 104,000 today, while museum networks across the Pacific continue to provide important opportunities for regional cooperation and exchange.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-partners-fiji-museum-celebrate-international-museum-day-2026?hub=701
