Govt plans for T&T’s golden Independence

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will officially launch a series of activities after Carnival to mark T&T’s 50th anniversary of Independence, Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie said yesterday. Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing, Tewarie said a panel of experts agreed on proposals for various events. These will be community and private sector-driven, rather than government-driven. Events will continue over this year climaxing with the Independence parade in August and some will continue into next April. A team comprising the ministers of Planning, Arts and Culture, Tobago Affairs, Sports, Education, Local Government, National Security, Community Development and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Rodger Samuel has been established. Tewarie said their first task will be to invite requests from “creative people” to design a logo for the golden jubilee. This will be done after Carnival and the logo will be decided upon by March.

 

In addition, 50 T&T icons will be honoured in the fields of art, music, fashion, film and publishing. A competitiveness and innovation award for businesses will also be given. A Guild of Masters will be launched to pass on skills to students and a five-day Independence Cycling Classic will be hosted in conjunction with the T&T Cycling Federation. Other plans include compilation of “The Gold Book” with information commemorating the golden jubilee and pointing the way forward. The first draft is complete and the book will be launched in August for Independence. Further activities include a series of lectures featuring elders from the cultural field, art exhibitions and a year of community-based activities, starting April. The theme will be “Bring Down the Power.” Also featured will be support for Ramleela festivities, two days of steelpan festivities and multi-cultural concert programmes for the public. (GA)