There will be no Carnival in Tobago this year because the "political logistics" could not be worked out, says Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Winston Peters. Peters made the disclosure while speaking with reporters yesterday, after the launch of Pan Camps 2011 at the National Symphony Steel Orchestra headquarters in Port-of-Spain. Peters said he would withdraw his note from Cabinet for the festival, but would draft a new note in approximately two months so that the event could take place in 2012. "The political logistics could not be worked out properly so we shelved it until next year," Peters said. Peters described the "political logistics" as the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) finding excuses as to why the event could not be held. He said the excuses such as weather conditions in October, disruption of schools and religious obstacles were given but maintained the reason for the cancellation was political.
He said, however, that the event would definitely take place in October in Tobago next year. Peters formally opened the Pan Camps 2011 yesterday. The annual camps, which were designated for children between the ages of nine and 17, would take place in five locations in T&T. The National Symphony Steel Orchestra, Sagicor Exodus, Starlift Steel Orchestra, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps and TCL Group Skiffle Bunch will all host camps. Director of Culture at the Ministry, Ingrid Ryan Ruben, said hosting of the camps was an opportunity to increase the level of music literacy in T&T. The camps which begin on Tuesday will run for a period of three weeks. Efforts to contact THA Chief Secretary Orville London were futile.