One major inspiration behind the 2018 Tobago Heritage Festival’s opening night celebrations was to showcase the legacy of the island’s ancestors.

The event opened on Friday (July 13), bringing friends, families and visitors in one space to experience Tobago’s beautiful culture and unique heritage.

And Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation Nadine Stewart-Phillips said it is important to show appreciation for those who have ensured the island’s heritage continues to thrive.

“The stalwarts who moulded and ensured the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation must be commended,” Stewart-Phillips said on opening night. “And even now, we salute those who continue as proponents of our art forms and other integral elements of our heritage.”

The Secretary believes preserving Tobago’s unique culture will also have a positive impact on the island’s tourism.

“We are positioned as a destination here in Tobago, to provide extraordinary experiences that attract domestic, regional, international and diaspora visitors of every age,” she said.

“And as we prepare annually for this two-week festival, its tag line, [“Embrace, Engage, Experience”], should remind us of the untapped potential of our heritage.”

The Tobago Heritage Festival continues tomorrow (July 19) with the Black Rock Sea Festival at Courland Heritage Park. The Wake Up Call is 5 a.m. and the Sea Fiesta kicks off at 6.30 p.m.