Tobago Festivals Commission to bring new shows

Chairman of the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd Dr Charleston Thomas has said the entity intends to introduce new items into the island’s cultural arena.

However, he said the details of the plan will be revealed when it properly fleshed out.

“Without saying took much at this time, I can say that we are poised to do a great deal of work in order to introduce new cultural items into the arena of festivals on the island, which will certainly bring another level of cultural expression to our doors with the resultant economic returns,” Thomas said in a pre-recorded address on Friday night during the opening of the 35th edition of the Tobago Heritage Festival at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.

“In other words, a more dynamic TFCL should suggest our efforts at exhausted possibilities relating to how we tap into ourselves to better know and showcase ourselves. But it should also situated us in the realm of greater economic and investment opportunity.

Thomas said the commission has already begun discussions about making the company a more dynamic and bold organisation.

“Beyond what the company has come to be known for, our new team has already started discussions on how to imagine a rebirthing of the work of the company, not to discourage the traditional outlook but to build on what currently obtains as its central festivals of focus.”

These, he said, include the national Carnival, Tobago Jazz Experience, Blue Food Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and the Tobago Carnival in October.

Thomas said although the commission is responsible for the planning and coordinating of festivals on the island, it is also about building and managing relations among individuals, villages and organisations in the larger business of shaping and putting on display Tobago’s culture.

He said festivals hold several answers for the improvement of civilisations.

“They excite us into imagination, setting us up to see big and pull off big ideas. They encourage had work and collaboration with a united purpose as the goal. They demand dedication and commitment and they encourage us to acquire new skills and develop old ones for the purpose of achieving quality.”

Thomas said festivals also ignite feelings of pride and encourage long and deep labour.

“In this way, therefore, festivals function as facilities for the collective expression of the immense value of our existence, capacities and sensibilities.”

He added the newly-appointed board is bent on working towards its responsibility of executing the mandate of laying out the framework, supporting and providing the resources for villages and communities to organise and bring these festivals to locals and visitors alike.

“Our heritage festival has long shown us that it is a capsule for attracting, preserving and showcasing how we create and curate our living on this wonderful island.

The theme of this year’s Tobago Heritage Festival, which runs for just ten days, is Reflect, Rebirth, Rejoice: Reigniting The Flames Of Our Legacy.