Tobago
Corey Connelly
SECRETARY for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transport Tashia Burris believes community spirit is back “in full force” at the 2024 edition of the Tobago Heritage Festival.
The festival, titled We Come Back, is held for a month instead of the usual two weeks. It started on July 4 with a thanksgiving service at Scarborough RC Church, Bacolet, and ends on August 1 (Emancipation Day) with a street parade in Crown Point.
This year, the festival is being managed by the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd, and communities were encouraged to take more responsibility for their productions.
But several popular villages, including Les Coteaux, Pembroke and Black Rock, chose not to take part in this year’s event for various reasons.
However, there were some notable reversals. After an absence of more than two decades, Golden Lane returned to the festival on July 13 with his presentation of Codes Courtship. Held at Golden Lane Government School, it was titled Buss D Wood: Reminder from the Silk Cotton Tree.
The next day, Mason Hall took the audience on a walk down memory lane with her production, Games We Used to Play, at the Elizabeth Dennis Baird Recreation Ground.
On July 15, Charlotteville hosted its Natural Treasures Day, which began with the traditional tambu-bamboo procession from Fort Campbleton to the village. General Secretary Farley Augustine and other THA leaders attended the procession, which paved the way for a day-long celebration.
Moriah hosts its popular Tobago Ole Time Wedding and Procession on July 20 from 1pm, followed by a cultural extravaganza at the Moriah Fun Ground.
As the festival enters its third week, Burris claimed people have responded favorably.
“Many have commented that this has been the best legacy in a long time,” she told Newsday via WhatsApp on July 18.
