BULA FESTIVAL 2024 - the vibrant energy of the British Fijian community.

UK– An audience of 6,000 attended the annual Bula Festival 2024.

Described it as the best event to date, attracting people from all over the UK and Europe.

The most significant Fijian event in Europe, where sport meets culture, where community meets heritage and where art meets the vibrant energy of the British Fijian community.

This vibrant festival, a beacon of diversity, provided a unique opportunity for Fijians in the UK to showcase the best of Fiji to all . Audiences and communities of all ages immersed themselves in the rich culture of the South Pacific. This year’s festival held special significance as it marked 150 years of enduring UK-Fiji relations, making it the most important gathering of Fijians in the UK.

Audiences, artists, sport players, academics travelled from all over the United Kingdom and Europe for this unique annual event.

The Fijian Choir travelled 10,000 miles to be a part of the celebrations!

“This joyous occasion not only celebrates the vibrant culture and diversity of Fiji but also the festival provides an opportunity for the Army in particular, to expose the diversity of roles and opportunities (including social mobility) that are available,” added Colonel David Kenny OBE, Commander, Army in the South East.

Celebrating 150 Years of UK-Fiji Relations:

This year’s Bula Festival was not just a cultural celebration but a commemoration of 150 years of friendship and cooperation between the UK and Fiji. This milestone highlighted the strong and enduring ties that have been built over a century and a half, fostering mutual respect and understanding between both nations.

Rosie – 14 years old from Edinburgh said “This is the Fijian Glastonbury – it has everything – sport, culture, community, intergenerational audiences, we get to meet our families and make new friends, we love it!”

Cultural Extravaganza: The Bula Festival celebrates the rich diversity of the South pacific, Fiji is the most diverse nation in the region and the Bula Festival reflects this through art and culture.

Colchester-based Mana Pasifika presented the opening ceremony, a traditional Meke featuring a combination of British-born Fijians.

Stoke Fijian Methodist Choir– presented the best of Fijian harmony and culture.

The 212 Exhibition– a powerful tribute to the valour and legacy of Fijian soldiers who were recruited into the British Army in 1961.

Girmit by Nutkhut– The Girmit Experience by Nutkhut highlighted the history of Indentured Labour in Fiji through VR and a hologram of the Chakki – housed currently in the Fiji Museum.

Aldershot Fiji Community– celebrated the creativity and culture of Fiji folk art, crafts and culture through personal items, craft workshops and demonstrations.

Professor Steve Hopper, Director, Sainsburys Research Unit commented,

“I’m immensely proud to be associated with a festival and a community that have such special values about society and family.

Sporting Spirit: Rugby, a sport that unites and excites both the UK and Fiji, featured prominently at the festival. Thrilling rugby competitions showcased the talent and passion of Fijian players, fostering sportsmanship and camaraderie among participants and spectators alike.

Notable rugby stars who graced the event included:
Bili Mata (Fiji #8, Club: Bristol) – Olympic Gold Medalist in Rio 2016
Ryan Wilson (Aldershot born and bred, Glasgow Warriors, Scotland International)
Vereimi Vakatawa (Former France #13, Club: Bristol)
Waisea Nayacalevu (Current Fiji Captain, Club: Sale Sharks)
Albert Tuisue (Fiji #6, Club: Gloucester Rugby)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Ex-England Winger, Club: Doncaster Knights)
Andy Dowling (Ex-England 7’s, Saracens Academy Coach)
These esteemed players not only demonstrated their exceptional skills but also shared their inspiring journeys, enriching the festival experience for all attendees.


Alfie Vanua, Director of Rugby for the Bula Festival, added,
“The speed, the agility, and the camaraderie are second to none by the young Fijian men and women – Bula Festival is a rugby showcase.”
Community and Togetherness:
Captain Helen Tokaiqali expressed, “The Bula spirit lives in the UK through our art, our culture, our spirit, and our love for community. I’m immensely proud of our volunteers and our wider team for putting this festival together.”


The festival featured not only sporting events and cultural performances but also an array of delicious lovo, barbecues and arts and crafts stalls.
The aroma of traditional Fijian lovo filled the air, offering attendees a taste of Fijian cuisine, while the crafts stalls displayed intricate hand-woven mats and beautifully crafted jewellery, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic prowess of the Fijian community.

Watch out for Bula Festival 2025