Emancipation an asset to tourism

For the ESCTT, this is a coincidence full of possibilities as it comes at the time that the celebration of emancipation has been rebranded as the Pan African Festival TT in Commemoration of Emancipation. The festival is now widely recognised as a premier cultural heritage tourism product.

This is the segment of the tourism market which international experts identify as the fastest growing and most profitable. The emancipation festival is therefore a major asset for the country’s new tourism thrust, the ESCTT said in a media release On Sunday at 6 pm, the ESCTT launches this year’s Pan African Festival TT in Commemoration of Emancipation and will celebrate its many achievements. It will highlight, among other things, the economic value of the festival in these challenging times.

The organisation has travelled a long road from when it was formed in 1992 as an umbrella body to strengthen the commemoration of emancipation, the ESCTT said. Its agenda over 25 years expanded to include programmes that address human and social development –with major focus on education, culture and community building.

The agenda embraced business development with national and international dimensions, and human rights advocacy. The ESCTT also serves as the Secretariat for the Caribbean Pan African Network with membership in 22 countries and has a long-standing working relationship with the Economic Social and Cultural Council of the African Union.

The launch is combined with the commemoration of African Liberation Day and signals the start of the distinctive festival that encompasses events such as the Kwame Ture Memorial Lecture Series and film festival; the Yoruba Village Drum Festival; the Qurux Africa Fashion Show; the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium; the Trans-Atlantic Expo and Market Place at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village. The village will throb with varied entertainment, shopping, children’s fun and educational activities, food, art and much more. The phenomenal Kambule parade on the morning of August 1 and the inspiring flambeau parade later that night are two of the most highly-anticipated features of the celebration.

The ESCTT will launch the celebrations at its headquarters, Emancipation House, at 5B Bergerac Road, Maraval. The public is invited to attend, enjoy the camaraderie, the entertainment and enlightenment, commemorate African Liberation Day and learn about the exciting activities that will be a part of the upcoming Pan African Festival TT.

For parking and other info: 625- 5008, www.emancipationtt.com or on Facebook at “Emancipation Support Committee – ESC”.