THA Chief Secretary Hon. Farley Augustine expressed confidence in those spearheading Tobago’s upcoming Carnival. He said the island has been hosting festivals longer than many other territories within the region.

“If after having Festivals Commission, a Carnival committee, the Tobago Performing Arts Company (TPAC), all of these creatives in the space; and if the creatives in this space cannot host and manage a Tobago Carnival, then we need to shut down all of these establishments and start from scratch,” he said.

Carnival will be held from Friday (October 28) to Sunday (October 30) this year.

“I want to say to you Tobago, that I have every bit of confidence in your ability. You the creatives, I have confidence in your ability to do this. The young people, I have confidence in you being able to do this,” he said.

During Thursday’s (August 11) post Executive Council media briefing, the Chief Secretary indicated that the upcoming event was in fact inclusive, as he’d seen a proposed calendar of events, which showed the involvement of Trinidad promoters and bands.

“There are Trini bands partnering and collaborating with Tobago bands, for designing of costumes, construction of costumes, and for band management, and so there is collaboration happening in the space already.”

He said there are wonderful surprises planned for Carnival, while the event creates additional economic possibilities.