Samoa’s Cabinet has approved revisions to the traditional Independence Day festivities with a decision to scale down annual celebrations while reserving grand celebrations for milestone years.
Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (M.P.M.C.) and Secretary to Cabinet Agafili Shem Leo and Tanuvasa Petone Mauga, members of the Independence Committee, told media that the commemorations for the 62nd, 63rd, and 64th Independence Day will be scaled down.
There will still be a Thanksgiving service, government-led ceremony, raising of the flag and Independence Day parade.
However, the government has reserved a grand spectacle for the 65th Independence celebration, promising a revival of traditional festivities, including cultural performances, fautasi regatta, and other events.
Agafili emphasized that it’s the government’s intention to have special commemorations every five years, diverging from the monotony of annual routines.
Addressing speculations regarding financial constraints, Agafili dismissed such concerns, citing a consistent allocation of $200,000 earmarked annually for Independence Day commemorations.
