Tobago Heritage Festival set to return with its 36th edition in July

The Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation of Trinidad and Tobago will host the 36th anniversary of the Tobago Heritage Festival (THF) from July 21st to August 01st 2023.

Tobago Heritage Festival set to return with its 36th edition in July
Tobago Heritage Festival set to return with its 36th edition in July

Trinidad and Tobago: The Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation of Trinidad and Tobago will host the 36th anniversary of the Tobago Heritage Festival (THF) from July 21st to August 01st 2023.

The year’s Festival will be held under the theme “HOMAGE”, paying tribute to “All Ah We” and “All Ah Who Ahwe Be” and emphasizing the act of honouring our past, celebrating our present and inspiring our future. HOMAGE also seeks to rekindle efforts to know who we are as a people and all that is worthy of our honour and reverence.

In addition to showcasing staple events such as the Ole Time Wedding; the Salaka Feast; Folk Tales and Superstitions; Natural Treasures; and J’ouvert, the Festival will feature the return of the ‘Rum Shop Lime’ as part of its offerings and incorporate the rich cultural traditions of Tobago depicted in other villages across the island.

The Division’s Culture Department will primarily organize this year’s Festival; however, the planning team shall comprise persons with institutional knowledge and experience, representing a cross-section of Tobago’s stakeholders.

Team members will come from the following entities but are not limited to:

  • The Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation (Department of Culture) 
  • Tobago Festival Commission Limited, 
  • Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, 
  • Shaw Park Complex 
  • Community stakeholders & knowledge bearers. 

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Division’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DoTCATTHA for further information on the Festival’s official launch.

The Division of Tourism of Trinidad and Tobago has been hosting several events and festival under the theme- “Homage to Our Origins” to showcase their support and work for the theme.  Earlier, The Ministry of Sport and Community Development (MoSCD) has also launched the 2023 Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition 2023 under the same theme “Homage to Our Origins.”

Consequently, the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation, through the Department of Culture is again collaborating with the MoSCD to host and facilitate the Tobago County Preliminaries of the annual Competition.

The first 2023 Tobago County preliminaries occured on Saturday, 6th, and Sunday, 7th of May 2023, at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The categories covered each day are as follows:

Saturday May 06th 2023: 

  • All Dance Categories
  • La Reine Rive
  • Self-Expression
  • Talent
  • Menu of the Day

Sunday May 07th 2023:

  • Literature and Dramatized Literature
  • All Music Categories
  • Solo Music and Choirs