On Sinking, Swimming, Floating, Flying and Dancing: the Potential of Cultural Industries in the Pacific Islands

Abstract

While sinking, swimming, floating or flying might appear to be the only options available to Fiji citizens under the current challenging economic and political circumstances, if one pays attention to the popular Suva-based newsletter, Kulcha Vulcha, there are at least a few other possibilities including singing, painting, carving, rowing, jogging, walking, watching, learning, listening and dancing. In many regions of the world where people struggle every day to meet their basic economic and social needs under less than ideal political conditions, creativity in arts and culture necessarily emerges as a strategy for maintaining dignity, confidence and a sense of hope.