By Prior Beharry
THE Government will spend $7.5 million to celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s 60th year of Independence.
This was revealed by Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis at a press conference at the offices of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in Port of Spain office on Thursday.
T&T became an Independent nation on August 31, 1962, and celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year.
Robinson-Regis said there will be three “Together Concerts” on the night of Independence – August 31, the night of Republic Day in Trinidad – September 24 and on the night of September 23 in Tobago. She said, “These concerts are expositions of our cultural manifestations comprising of our indigenous expressions, signposts to our deepest and most sincere aspirations for unity and solidarity as a people.
“Reminiscent of our National watchwords ‘Together we aspire, Together we Achieve’, each concert will begin with a smoke ceremony conducted by the First Peoples of Trinidad and Tobago and will include premium artistes from the various cultural aspects synonymous with Trinidad and Tobago such as – Calypso, Soca, Chutney, Parang, Parang Soca, Rhythm Sections, steel Orchestras and soloists.”
Robinson-Regis also revealed the 60th anniversary logo designed by graphic artist Bertrand John of Tobago.
She said there will also be the return of fireworks and the military parade after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Robinson-Regis said several cultural, art exhibitions and other events were also scheduled fincluding a patriotic song competition and a patriotic essay competition for school children and other young people to participate. She said a Cultural Caravan will cross the entire country and feature nationally acclaimed artistes from the area.
Robinson-Regis said Whitehall@60 will feature a graphic display of our nation’s history using Whitehall at the Queen’s Park Savannah as the backdrop.
She said this will be done over three days and the public will also be treated to an easy-listening concert by saxophonists, tenors, baritones and choirs and steel pan soloists.
A national pan concert titled Pan On Higher Note will run from August 5 to 7.
A multi-media art exhibition will also be hosted by the Prime Minister at Milles Fleur, Stollmeyer’s Castle and the Archbishop’s House, she said. In Tobago there will be the lighting up of the Shaw Park Complex and the Buccoo Boardwalk and Tobago will also host its inaugural Independence Dinner along with a series of exhibitions.
