The Trinidad Guardian
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations are considered by many as the biggest festival after the Carnival season, but once again festivities have been launched without the Government’s funding. Hundreds came out at the refurbished Victor Chin Kit Park for Friday night’s launch which turned into a street party featuring Soca Monarch and Road March champion 2013 Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons, H2O Phlo and Jeunes Agape.
A talented line-up of steelbands which included Tornadoes Steel Orchestra, Trinmar Marines, Fucsdat panside and Fonclaire Steel Orchestra created an enticing preview of things to come over the next three weeks of celebrations which culminates on the actual Borough Day, May 4. Despite the festive opening to the season, chairman of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation’s Sports and Festivals Committee Sherwin St Hillaire said funding challenges continued to hinder the expansion of the celebrations.
Replies
Greetings: Borough Day is not only about Pan. It is also about Education and extoling family values and local talent. I conducted several workshops for thousands of children from as far away Labrea to Cedros. They were bussed in by the Borough for three days. The CEO of the Borough (Ms. Bradshaw), her daughter also conducted free health clinics for the students. Point Originals provided free clothing, and health care for the sdults.. Borough Day has been successful because of Gayap. Yes the local businesses make money but more can be made if it is finance and planned properly. Guidance Dr. Lance Seunarine
Greetings My Brother,
Why is it not finance and planned properly? the Borough has almost a year to do so.
This Borough day festival came to been in the early years of the eighties. At that time TRINTOC sponsored the entire event which was a competition for Pan. This was held on the first Saturday in the month of May. Eventually it grew and various aspects of culture were introduced e.g. J'ourvert, calypso, tassa etc which spread into a week of cultural events. How is it that the Minister of Culture does not have this on his Cultural Callendar of performances with a budget for same. Whether the money comes from Petrotrin, Junior Sammy or other Private enterprises in the South Land.
Do you all realise How many cases of beer and bottles of rum whisky Kentucky Fried Chicken etc. are consumed on that entire week especially the Day of Pan Competitions? Things like these show that our Government is definitely not interested in Promoting Pan throughout the year and Private Enterprise are just following suit.
You know what is hard , This is the Celebration of a BOROUGH of the nation, maybe they thinkj is a "borrow"
Trevor, promoting Pan through out the year is NOT the Government WUK,but rather Pan Trinbago's DUTY. Without clarity of VISION and a COMMITMENT to purpose this is hardly possible.
Hello Bertel, i referred to the Government's involvement because the culture of a country encompasses all factors, which would include The different races and their customs, different religious backgrounds, different types of foods and different habits. All put together in a pelau called Trinidad and Tobago. There is a Minister of Culture and a Ministry which he manages as a Government minister. i would expect that at Budget day, The goodly Minister would have presented figures to the Finance minister for all the categories of our colourful cultural background who need assistance on our annual callendar of events.
I do agree with you that this really is Pan Trinbago's duty to ensure that their area of culture is adequately represented. I guess " Pan in the country side " had greater priority than "Borough Day."
Why are bands going to play along with other Cultural groups?
I hear you Trevor and I agree, but at the same time Pan Trinbago must lobby for its interest, I am not sure how much of this is happening presently, if it is, I certainly do not feel the effects.
Trevor, we have to ask the question WHY the Minister of Culture don't have Borough Day included in his budget?
No Govnt. $$$? This is great news! Entrepreneurship and private business must be the order of the day!
Greetings: Den dey in a trance; ah need meh obeah man to break de spell. How long again do we have to wait to get ah fair deal from dem government people? Guidance Dr. Lance Seunarine
Don't worry, as soon as the Government figures out that there is money to be made exploiting culture and how some can become rich filtering off some of that money, plenty funding will be realized. It's only a matter of time
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next