Colour and music for Samoa’s 50th
SAMOA has been awash with colour and music this week as the island nation proudly celebrated its 50th birthday.
Locals were joined by thousands of tourists and overseas officials to recognise its independence from New Zealand.
People have marched in respect, sang in unison and listened intently to the head of state Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who spoke about what independence means to Samoa.
‘‘In all this remembrance we take note that this 50th year is a sacred year. The jubilee celebrates the power of remorse and forgiveness,’’ he said to a crowd of thousands who gathered on parliament grounds on Friday.
He also spoke about the importance of the friendship between his country and New Zealand, which took control of Samoa during World War I.
After World War II, Samoa was a United Nations trust territory administered by New Zealand until it gained independence – the first Pacific island to do so – in 1962.
Friday was a national holiday and people from all over the island travelled to Apia for the celebrations. Thousands attended the UB40 concert.
Cultural performances, parades, exhibitions and markets have dominated the past few days, but as the tourists and government officials return home, Samoa will regain a sense of normalcy.
NZ Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, who visited for the first time since the 2009 tsunami, is leaving today to head to Tokelau.