Heritage Festival opens with pomp and ceremony

A gay and festive mood predominated at Shaw Park Cultural Complex Friday night as curtains went up on the 2004 Tobago Heritage Festival before one of the largest crowds in recent years. The mood was maintained as the crisply packaged opening night production “A Fine Slice of Heritage” unfolded in clockwork precision highlighting ‘slices’ of the village presentations that will take centre stage over the next two weeks.

The opening night presentation, as it has been perennially, was sponsored by the Telecom-munication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT). Highlight of the formalities was the presentation of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) “Human Development Report 2004: Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World” to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London by Neil Pierre, the UNDP’s deputy resident representative in Trinidad and Tobago. Other dignitaries included President Dr George Maxwell Richards and Minister of Com-munity Development/Culture, Joan Yuille Williams, who were among those specially garlanded on the occasion.

In formally opening the island’s annual cultural potpourri, London hailed the festival as “a tribute to the triumph of the human spirit,” and urged Tobagonians to treasure their indigenous culture and heritage with pride wherever they may go. With the formal segment out of the way, the stage erupted in a burst of song and dance and drama characterised by much colour, heralding the start of the 18th edition of Tobago’s premier cultural showcase. This afternoon, the Folk Fiesta presentation — featuring groups throughout the island competing in folk song, dance, oral tradition etc — takes centre stage at the same venue from 4 pm. Tomorrow, the action shifts to Mt Pleasant for that district’s presentation, “Nutten Day.” On Tuesday, the heritage bandwagon rolls into east Tobago for “Bele Festival” at Belle Garden.