The celebration of Samoa’s 58^th Independence Day will be pre-recorded and screened on Samoa's digital platforms, including the Government's social media channels.

For the first time in history, there will be no parade and an official celebration as usual. But this year’s 58^th independence anniversary celebration will still be marked as a  public holiday on Monday, 1 June, the Government had earlier confirmed.

Instead, the raising of the flag and the official independence address from the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, will be pre-recorded and televised for Samoa to see.

The plan was revealed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, during a press conference on Tuesday. He said the change is the result of the coronavirus pandemic State of Emergency lockdown.

“The world is in the darkness given the current health crisis,” he said. “Hence, Cabinet had decided that the programme for the Independence day this year will all be published digitally.”

The broadcasts will be pre-recorded and aired on social media as well as the TV stations, starting Sunday.  

There will also be no traditional performances like every other year.

Commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services (F.E.S.A.), Lelevaga Faafouina Mupo, said all the groups that had been invited to perform this year have been told to prepare for 2021.

“Falefa, Tufulele, Fasitoo-Tai and Salelologa who have been chosen to perform traditional dances and songs for this year’s Independence will have to perform next year,” he said.

Monday has been declared a public holiday to mark the occasion.