Dr Kasanita Nayasi.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Humanities, Education and Law (CHEL) will host its inaugural Vernacular Week from Monday, 17 August, at FNU’s Natabua Campus in Lautoka.

The week-long programme will celebrate Fiji’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity, while encouraging students and staff to use, appreciate and share their vernacular languages.

The event is being led by the Assistant Professor at CHEL’s School of Education, Dr Kasanita Nayasi, and comes as FNU joins the global observance of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, now in its fourth year.

Dr Nayasi said the programme would give students and staff an opportunity to showcase their language skills, cultural knowledge and creativity through a range of activities.

“The programme will feature competitions, cultural performances, seminar presentations and a closing ceremony recognising participants and winners,” Dr Nayasi said.

Activities will include poetry recitals, original song composition, debates, visual arts, seminar presentations in vernacular languages, karaoke and original vernacular song performances, as well as cultural performances representing Fiji’s diverse language communities.

Dr Nayasi added that the activities would also give students a chance to use their mother tongues confidently in academic, creative and cultural settings.

“Vernacular Week provides a platform for students to use their mother tongues confidently while fostering mutual respect and appreciation among Fiji’s diverse communities,” she elaborated.

Dr Nayasi said CHEL had an important role to play in supporting Fiji’s languages and cultural traditions through its work in teacher education, languages, humanities and law. She added that the programme also supports FNU’s wider commitment to cultural preservation, community engagement and student development by connecting academic learning with students’ cultural identity and experiences.

“The organising committee encourages all students and CHEL staff to take part, support the various competitions and attend the closing ceremony. Whether competing, performing or simply cheering on fellow students, everyone has an opportunity to be part of this celebration,” she stated.

Vernacular Week will commence on Monday, 17 August, at FNU’s Natabua Campus in Lautoka and conclude with a ceremony recognising participants and winners.