Pan African Festival Trinidad and Tobago goes into high gear

The Pan African Festival Trinidad and Tobago: Commemorating Emancipation – the lead-up to African Emancipation Day celebrations on August 1 – goes into full gear this Saturday with the opening of the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Before the opening of the festival, the Yoruba Drum Festival was held at the Yoruba Village Square, Port of Spain on June 15, followed by the Kwame Ture Memorial Lecture Series on June 16, 23 and July 17. The festival began on May 25.

The blessing of the grounds took place on July 21 at the Savannah.

The Emancipation Support Committee’s Facebook page posted this about the festival, “From July 27 to August 2, celebrate 186 years of Emancipation with us at Queen’s Park Savannah. Whether you're into music, art, or amazing food, there's something for you. Highlights include the tribute to Cheryl Byron, Unity Reggae Concert, Jazz at Sunset, and the Pan African Concert. Enjoy the Family Day, Food Fair, and Pan in d Village.

“The Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village will be alive with Rhythms and Voices of Africa every day from 3 pm. Remember, admission is free until 3 pm and just $40 after.”

Those attending this year’s village get a chance to win a return ticket to any Caribbean Airlines destination.

The theme of this year’s festival is Moving Forward with our Heads Up.

Rhythms and Voices Africa, a concert featuring performances from drumming groups, dancers and chantuelles will follow the village’s opening at 3 pm.

Women in Rapso: A tribute to Cheryl Byron will follow that at 6 pm and the Unity Reggae Concert at 8.30 pm, also at the Savannah, will end that day’s activities.

On July 28, there will be pan and jazz. That day begins with Youth Pan Extravaganza at 3 pm. At 6 pm, Jazz at Sunset with jazz singer Brenda Butler takes place and at 8 pm Pan in the Village follows.

On July 29, there will be Youth Day from 10 am-2 pm. Another Rhythms and Voices Africa takes place at 3 pm and later that evening, Ancestral Night.

In the two days leading up to the Emancipation observance there will the annual Shikamoo, which will honour calypsonian Morel “Luta” Peters. Each year the Shikamoo honours one of TT’s leading artistes. In the past it has paid tribute to people like Lord Relator, the late Black Stalin and Ella Andall. The calypso concert will take place from 8 pm on that day.

On July 31, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium will take place from 9 am-3 pm, followed by another Rhythms and Voices Africa. At 8 pm, the Pan African Concert will take place.

There is a jam-packed calendar of events on African Emancipation Day itself. It begins with a tribute to the ancestors at All Stars panyard, Duke Street, Port of Spain from 4 am.

Yedaase – Tribute to Our Ancestors will happen at the Treasury Building, Port of Spain from 8 am and at 9 am, the Kambule Street Procession will move off from Brian Lara Promenade. There will be a final Rhythms and Voices Africa at the Emancipation Village, and the day’s activities will end with a flambeau procession from the village to All Stars panyard from 7 pm.

The festival ends on August 2 with the Market Lagniappe.