Fiji Day: Fijian Soldiers Celebrate Their British Army Pride In Cyprus

If you were listening to Forces Radio BFBS Cyprus this morning then your ears were in for a treat as they celebrated Fiji Day.

Today is the National Day of Fiji which marks the anniversary of both Fiji's cession to the United Kingdom in 1874 and it's independence in 1970.

To celebrate the occasion soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) joined Jade Callaway & Misty McCready in the Forces Radio BFBS studio in Cyprus.

The Facebook Live below shows soldiers performing a traditional song depicting the pride & rich history behind Fijian service in the British Army.

Dhekelia based 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) are preparing to welcome guests for a celebration of Fijian Culture which will not only include singing & dancing but also a Kawa ceremony and a veritable feast. 

Cpl Ravoka told Jade & Misty about the unusual way the food is prepared, known as Lovo:

"It's a barbeque thing. We're gonna heat up the firewood and the stones to make it red hot before we're going to put the meat on top and then bury it and leave it for an hour or two."

About the Fiji Day event in Cyprus Cpl Ravoka said:

"It's a good experience for cultural integration. For all the English boys we work with to come and experience what we normally do back home"