The Tobago Heritage Festival 2021 kicked off on August 1^st with the Emancipation Concert ‘Remembering Her Roots.’ The annual event displays the distinct culture, beauty and vibrance of our island’s heritage.

“Our theme for this year is ‘Resilient Tobago: Remembering Our Roots with Responsibility.’ In doing the event, we have a combination of live and curated footage. We staggered the segments, so that the gatherings are done in a small and safe manner to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, including washing of hands,” said CEO of the Tobago Festivals Commission Limited John Arnold.

Part of the Festival will be a webinar series that begins today at 6:00 p.m. with the topic: ‘From the Beginning.’ The remainder of the series takes place on the following dates: August 16^th (Evolution), 23^rd (Village Talk), and 30^th (De Young People Chat).

“Tonight is the first episode. Viewers will hear the panelists talk about the early Heritage, the context, the early villages and community participation, the concept behind it, and the challenges faced including funding, as well as the Festival’s management,” said Arnold. Sponsors of the webinar series include the Tobago House of Assembly and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited.

Arnold said the virtual event allows the Festival to have a wider audience.

Other activities include a visual art presentation called ‘Expo Art Tobago’ on August 13^th and 20^th and the Ms. Tobago Heritage Personality on September 11^th, which will close the Festival.

Persons can access the events on the Tobago Festivals social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.