Samoa Observer

Government launches 60th Anniversary celebrations logo

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Government launches 60th Anniversary celebrations logo

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 11 May 2022, 9:06PM

The Government on Wednesday evening officially launched and unveiled the logo and theme for this year's 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations. 

The official launching was held in front of the Faumuina Mata'afa Fiame Mulinu'u (F.M.F.M.) building in Apia and is part of lead-up events to the start of the celebrations on 1 June. 

The official program of the 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations gets underway 1 June 2022 and ends 31 May 2023. The festivities will be guided by the theme, "To sail with faith (Folau ma le fa'atuatua)."

Guests at the launching included the Head of State, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi and his good lady, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and her Cabinet Ministers as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, parliamentarians and CEOs of the different Government ministries. 

The Prime Minister delivered the keynote address while also announcing the winner of the logo and theme competition for this year's Independence celebration. 

As the Chairman of the Independence Committee, Fiame also reminded the gathering that Samoa's journey throughout these 60 years has not been easy. 


"Challenging, yes definitely," she said. "But it has also been rewarding for all the generations that have traversed this important phase of our history. 

"We thank God for His divine guidance and direction over our Independence State, for without Him, we would have not survived the torrent and raging seas of nation building. 

"We acknowledge with humility and gratitude, the efforts and sacrifices of our forefathers, past and present leaders and all our citizens of Samoa for their contribution, to building our country to what it is today.


"We also pay tribute to all our development partners who have worked in partnerships with Samoa to help us achieve our development aspirations."

For the country to reach this 60-years milestone, according to Fiame, is being triumphant in the face of adversity.

She said early this year the Cabinet – through the Independence Committee – advised of the commissioning of a logo and theme to mark a year long celebrations. 

"The public was invited to express their reflections of what their journey through 60 years has meant for them and what they would aspire to for their country over the next decades," Fiame said. 

"After months of advertisement, 59 entries were received from talented artists and graphic designers in Samoa and from our diaspora abroad. 


"The Committee assessed each entry and subsequently recommended to Cabinet the winning entry for the prize money of $5,000 tala. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, the event this evening is to officially launch the logo and theme for our 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations. 

"The logo depicts significant historical events that shaped our path to Independence, our traditions and our Christian values and beliefs as stipulated in our Constitution. 

"The logo depicts the Mau movement, a significant historical event in our strife for Independence, symbolised by the single white stripe on the number 60. 

"The colour used are the official colours of our national flag."


According to the Prime Minister, the artwork on the logo symbolises Samoan culture, institutions, Christianity and place in the world.

"The Southern Cross constellation as shown in our national flag, portrays our faith in Jesus Christ and Samoa as a Christian nation. 

"The logo's design illustrate traditional Samoan motives that reflects our unity as a nation and support for each other. As such, the theme selected for the 60th Independence Anniversary is Folau ma le fa'atuatua (To Sail with faith). 

"It is a theme that we believe best describes our journey over these 60 years, where we are now and to the future."

Fiame then announced that the winner of the 60th Independence celebration logo and theme competition was a New Zealand-based firm owned and managed by Samoans.

"A company based in New Zealand and Samoa, owned and managed by Samoans, the Bluwave Samoa. Congratulations to Bluwave Samoa," the Prime Minister said. 

"Let me also take this opportunity to thank all those who participated in the competition. The wealth of your artistic expressions and creativity is commendable. 

"The logo and theme after the launch this evening will become the property of the Government of Samoa. 

"For those wanting to use it for any purpose, please ensure that all legal requirements are satisfied." 

The Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio was then given the honour of unveiling the logo in front of the Government building. 

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 11 May 2022, 9:06PM
Samoa Observer

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