In A First, 13 Days Of Christmas Broadcasts Live From Savai’i
Performers at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) in Faala, Palauli, Savai'i when they appeared on the televised 13 Days of Christmas programme, Friday, 16 December, 2022.
Photo: Supplied
Performers in Saipipi, Fusi Safotulafai, Faala Palauli and other villages in Savai’i are impressing viewers in their first-time on TV1 Samoa’s 13 Days of Christmas programme.
This is the first Christmas in the 25-year history of the programme that it is broadcasting live from Savai’i, said Galumalemana Faiesea Lei Sam-Matafeo.
Galumalemana is Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Limited (S.B.C.L.), the company that operates TV1.
It was the late Rev. Faitala Talapusi, leader of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) in Vaitele who initiated the programme 25 years ago, she told EyeSpy Radio.
Ministry of Police Prisons and Corrections Services performers opened the 2022 Christmas programme on 12 December, 13 days before Christmas Day.
“Thirteen Days to Christmas has been running for 25 years now. It was an initiative of the late Rev. Faitala Talapusi, church minister of E.F.K.S. Vaitele back then,” said Galumalemana.
“For 25 years we have been broadcasting live from Vaitele E.F.K.S. Church, except for the last two years during the pandemic lockdown when we had to produce the programme using footages from previous years.”
She extended thanks and appreciation to the New Zealand Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (P.C.B.L.) and TV1’s business partners in the Christmas programme for partnering with TV1 to bring the programme to homes across Samoa and online.
“This year is significant as 13 Days to Christmas not only achieves its 25th anniversary but it is also the first time we are broadcasting live from different villages in Savaii!,” Galumalemana said.
“Thank you to New Zealand P.C.B.L. and to our business partners for making it possible.”
Singers of all ages at the C.C.C.S. in Saipipi, Fusi Safotu, Faala Palauli and have performed hymns, fun Christmas classics and dance items in the programme that runs til Christmas Eve.
The TV1 Samoa C.E.O. wished all of Samoa a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity.
“There is nothing like the spirit of Christmas! A time of giving and forgiving!,” Galumalemana exclaimed.
“Wishing Samoa a blessed Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2023!”