By Martha Taumata Faavae
Behind the Festival of Lights that left the heart of Apia awash in a sea of flickering colour and lights on Friday night, are quiet hopes the event will lift the country’s national spirit.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi expressed his hopes to the local media a day ahead of the official opening .
“ We have been burdened for too long by the coronavirus pandemic we need to lift the country’s spirit,” Tuilaepa said.
The festive mood on Friday night appeared to do just that for a crowd of more than a thousand who were too busy having a good time to worry about getting wet in the rain.
Carol signing by church choirs, band music and other entertainment kept the crowd in good cheer for the night in front of the Government Building.
For Vaiema Selesitina of St. Mary’s Savalalo, the Festival of Lights was a special treat by a her parents for graduating primary school education and going off to college in the New Year.
“First time I’ve seen something so special like this for Christmas in person, ,” the young graduated happily claimed.
“You get to see on television homes decked out in Christmas lights in the cold winter by families and they’re so beautiful.”
Selesitina is used to having Christmas lights at home and programmes of celebration in church but out where she was able to see everything for real was worth having to wait for it.
“Being here is the best gift from my parents for me this Christmas, we have been walking around everywhere enjoying the sights.”
Osana Ielu of Malifa shared the same rewarding moment as a treat for him by his parents at coming first in class.
“This whole week they have promised we will coming to spend time in town enjoying the Christmas lights at night – what better gift than that,” Ielu celebrated.
The Festival of Lights is a co-ordinated event by the Samoa Tourism Authority with Government Ministries and State Owned Enterprises, businesses, diplomatic community and churches.
“As the end of another voyage through life approaches, it would be a natural assumption to think give me a light so I may tread into the unknown, ” PM Tuilaepa said in his opening address.
“We have traversed through rough seas of challenges and trials and tribulations that seemed endless , reflecting the uncertainties the world is facing to date.
“We have come this far as a nation, bound by the grace of God, our faith continuing to be the stronghold of our existence to kindle a light in the darkness to guide other travellers home.
“For this we must celebrate.
“The significance of lights began from the masterful creation of the Universe. “Darkness persisted and the world was formless and empty only to be lit with the command, let there be light , and there was light.
“We have come through some hard times, when life was thwarted by ill winds and dark clouds of climatic uncertainty, still there was never a dying of the light .
For this we must celebrate with thanksgiving . What better way to do this than a festival of lights.
For the very first time, we are bringing onto our shores a festival of light that has been commemorated across the globe, to celebrate Christmas and the Birth of our Lord.
The Festival’s name ‘Ua o’o mai lou malamalama’, will be celebrated as an annual event from now on.”
The Prime Minister complimented also the many villages around the county that have also staged colourful exhibitions of lights through their creativity and innovation.
“Thank you for your support in making this festival a reality.”
Thank you so much Newsline for putting such a.positive spin on this special event for us all in Samoa. There are many people who are hard to please but for me the Festival of Lights is uplifting to get us out of much negativity and gloom. Blessed Christmas to The Newsline Team!