As excitement builds for the 2025 Hibiscus Festival, reigning Miss Hibiscus Melania Tora is calling on the public to treat contestants with dignity and compassion, reminding the community to see the young women not just as pageant participants, but as human beings.
Speaking during the festival’s official launch at the Suva Civic Centre, Tora made a heartfelt plea for the public to value the contestants as “our own daughters, our own sisters.”
She says the public need to show kindness and encouragement because empowering women also means supporting them with kind words.
Tora is urging everyone to come with their family and with an empty stomach because there will be a lot of great food and to have a great time.
Hibiscus Festival Coordinator Ellen Whippy-Knight says with the 19 years she has had at Fiji Fashion Week, she brings those skills to this year’s Hibiscus Festival with the intention to bring back its glory and what it was originally meant to be.
The 2025 Hibiscus Festival officially opens today, with the Hibiscus Village opening at midday, and the floating procession beginning at 3pm.
Themed nights throughout the week include a church themed outreach on Sunday, Youth Night on Monday, Asian Night on Tuesday and Indian Night on Wednesday.
On Thursday, there will be an iTaukei night, followed by Pasifika Night on Friday, and then finally, the crowning night on Saturday.
