THE Bula Festival began in 1960, formerly known as Commerce Week. The Festival only changed to what it is now called The Nadi Bula Festival in 1962.
Since its establishment, the festival has been a much anticipated event in Nadi. It was a celebration that brought in people from all walks of life, culture and religion. It has also been marked in the tourist calendar and visitors from around the world have joined in to celebrate the Nadi Bula Festival too.
From the beginning, the aim of the Festival has not wavered. It aims to raise funds for charitable work and provide entertainment to the people.
To provide for a festive air, a beauty pageant was introduced and contestants were sponsored by companies and organisations in Nadi. Contestants compete for two crowns; the "MISS BULA" and the "MISS CHARITY". Funds raised in the past are allocated to special and needy charitable courses such as:
nBuilding of Nadi Hospital together with Project 91 and thereafter yearly upgrades
nAnnual cash grants to Nadi Special School
nBuilding of the Nadi Civic Centre (Bula Auditorium)
nAnnual grants to the Nadi Centre Special Education
nFencing the Namaka Medical Centre
nScholarship to poor students
nFinancial assistance for patients requiring specialised medical treatment
nFood distribution to the poor
nProviding finance to orphans, handicapped children as well as to the Lautoka Old People's Home.
nFlood and fire victims.
The Nadi Bula Festival is the longest running "unbroken" festival in Fiji