The Fijian Flying Circus today marks a historic milestone as they depart Fiji for their very first New Zealand tour, carrying with it the energy, spirit and mana of Fiji to Aotearoa.
Vou Fiji says the touring tribe consists of 15 Fijian artists alongside Yosvel, a Cuban circus trainer, instructor and performer, blending Pacific storytelling with world-class contemporary circus artistry.
The tour is led by Neori Ravuso (Tour Manager) and supported by Eddie Soro (Co-Director), Navi Fong (Artistic Director) and Jona Rogo (Content Production Lead).
The Fijian Flying Circus will debut next Tuesday at The Hannah Playhouse in Wellington as part of the Fringe Festival, performing nightly until February 22nd, before heading to Hamilton, where they will appear as the headline act at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival on the 27th and 28th of February.
Tickets are available on the NZ Fringe website and the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival website.
This tour represents a major creative arts moment as it is the first time a Fijian contemporary circus production has toured New Zealand at this scale, showcasing Fiji’s creative excellence, innovation, and youth talent on an international stage.
Vou says this journey is made possible and supported by the Pacific Connections - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Auckland, through the Pacific Enabling Fund and the New Zealand High Commission in Fiji.
VOU, the creative powerhouse behind the Fijian Flying Circus, is a social enterprise dedicated to creating sustainable career pathways for young Fijian artists.
They say each year, VOU provides 20 full scholarships to talented youth from across Fiji, offering free tertiary-level education in the performing arts, followed by full-time employment upon graduation.
VOU actively seeks national and global touring opportunities, ensuring its artists gain professional experience and long-term career sustainability.
Tour Manager, Neori Ravuso says this tour is more than performances, it is about dreams becoming real as many of their artists come from small villages and humble beginnings, and now they are flying to New Zealand to represent Fiji on world-class stages.
Ravuso says this is history in motion, and they are incredibly proud.
Co-Director, Eddie Soro says the Fijian Flying Circus is proof of what can happen when belief, discipline and opportunity come together.
Soro says this tour shows that Fijian artists belong on international stages, standing confidently beside the world’s best.
Artistic Director, Navi Fong says this production is filled with heart, humour, risk, beauty and raw energy as it celebrates who we are as Pacific people while pushing creative boundaries.
Fong adds taking this work to New Zealand is a dream they have carried for many years - and now it is real.
