The Government will host a special service on 31 May 2023 to mark the end of the country's year-long 60th Independence anniversary celebrations.

This was confirmed by the Chairperson of the Independence Committee and Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

She said the Government hopes to combine the special commemorations of the two main events on separate days to bring the official program to a close.

"There will be a service on the 31st on the night to mark the end of the festivities for the year-long 60th Independence celebration," Fiame said. 

"It will be held at Mulinu'u and we are also looking at having that same thanksgiving service to also mark the commemoration of the country's 61st Independence celebration on that same service. 

"The hope is that we have that service and then on Thursday morning, we will just have the usual entertainments organised and prepared for our flag day." 

Fiamē said there are plans to have a music festival as one of the major events to mark the end of the 60th Independence celebrations but the details are yet to be finalised. Some of the major activities include the fautasi race, the Government's special awards, and the commemoration of anniversaries for the biggest denominations in the country. 

She said there have been a lot of activities and celebrations within the different constituencies across the country as part of the Government's plans to mark the milestone. 

The Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio also confirmed that the commemoration of the 178 years since the acceptance of the Catholic faith at Lealatele within the Gagaemauga No.1 district in Savai'i will be one of the main highlights of Samoa's year-long celebration.

Speaking during the opening of the constituency's district office earlier this year, Tuala confirmed that the commemoration will be held on  26-27 May 2023 which will be attended by Government and church leaders.

Catholicism began in Samoa in 1845 under Father Foudaire and Father Violette, who were two French missionaries of the Marist order. They were accepted by the matai of Lealatele in Savai'i. 

Following the acceptance of the Catholic faith in Samoa 10 years after the arrival of the Methodist Church and 15 years after the acceptance of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa, the Catholic Church eventually attained a stronghold to join the C.C.C.S. and Methodist Church as one of the mainline churches in Samoa. 

Last year, the commemoration of 192 years since the arrival of the C.C.C.S. at Sapapali'i, Savai'i was attended by Government Leaders, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and leaders of the different denominations in Samoa. 

The Government also donated $60,000 to C.C.C.S. and the C.C.C.S. Sapapali'i parish as a token of appreciation for hosting the celebration as part of Samoa's year-long 60th Independence celebrations.