作者： admin

In a landmark initiative recognizing that cultural preservation relies on human dedication rather than mere structures, Trinidad and Tobago’s National Trust launched its inaugural Legacy Leaders Training Programme on January 15-16. The event united heritage site custodians from across the nation in a transformative professional development experience.

The programme, orchestrated by the Trust’s Education and Outreach Committee, brought together representatives from historically significant sites including Hayes Court, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Lopinot Historic Complex, and Nelson Island. These practitioners, who often operate with minimal resources while juggling multiple roles from maintenance to fundraising, found common ground in their shared challenges and commitments.

National Trust CEO Graeme Suite inaugurated the event by acknowledging the quiet determination required to sustain heritage spaces in contemporary society. He emphasized that beyond passion, successful preservation demands resilience, long-term vision, and the ability to navigate economic realities while honoring cultural responsibilities.

The training curriculum addressed critical operational needs through expert-led sessions covering site interpretation, youth engagement strategies, visitor experience enhancement, and marketing communications. Facilitator Joseph Bertrand introduced innovative approaches to visitor management, advocating for guidance rather than enforcement to foster respectful behavior and cultivate lasting connections between communities and heritage sites.

A particularly impactful session featured the Heritage Tax Allowance Programme (HTAP), a government-backed fiscal incentive offering companies 150% tax deductions (up to $1 million annually) for investments in heritage preservation. Senior Heritage Preservation Officer Ashleigh Morris explained how this initiative creates vital private-sector partnerships for restoration projects that might otherwise remain financially unfeasible.

The programme intentionally fostered peer-to-peer exchange, creating a supportive environment where participants could share challenges and solutions. Central concerns included succession planning and engaging younger generations to ensure stewardship continuity beyond current caretakers.

Special recognition was accorded to Joseph Bertrand, who conceived and project-managed the Legacy Leaders initiative. The programme represents a strategic pivot toward investing in human infrastructure for heritage preservation, acknowledging that sustainable management depends equally on leadership development, collaborative networks, and community connections as on conservation techniques.

The National Trust continues to advocate for public participation in heritage preservation through membership and active engagement, reinforcing the fundamental principle that investing in people ultimately protects legacy.

Dr. Stephen Ramroop, former CEO of Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), has issued a stark warning regarding the nation’s preparedness for major disasters. In a recent editorial, Ramroop contends that the country remains critically unprepared for significant hazard impacts, despite observable warning signs demonstrated through recent traffic crises.

The assessment follows severe traffic incidents on September 8 that paralyzed the Beetham Highway, creating cascading consequences throughout the transportation network. Commuters endured excessive delays exceeding six hours, resulting in missed medical appointments for critical conditions including cancer treatments and post-operative care, numerous missed flights, and widespread physical discomfort among stranded travelers.

Ramroop emphasizes that these incidents serve as measurable indicators within disaster risk management assessment frameworks. He poses a compelling hypothetical: had an earthquake struck during similar peak traffic periods, the consequences would have extended beyond a single highway to affect multiple transportation arteries simultaneously.

The former disaster management executive identifies fundamental deficiencies in the national response framework, noting insufficient coordination between multiple sectors including transport, homeland security, infrastructure, defense, and local government. He specifically calls for revitalization of the National Operations Centre (NOC) beyond its current crime-fighting mandate to encompass comprehensive emergency management.

Ramroop proposes integrated technological solutions including automated smart roadblocks with sensor connectivity, unified automatic number plate recognition systems, AI-driven traffic analytics capable of predicting congestion patterns, and drone surveillance for real-time situational awareness. Operational improvements recommended include dynamic lane control systems, queue warning mechanisms, variable speed limits, and enhanced communication protocols utilizing V2X technology.

Additionally, he advocates for improved crisis communication strategies incorporating social media alerts, alternative route recommendations, and welfare assistance programs for stranded motorists requiring essential supplies such as water, food, and medication.

The commentary concludes with an urgent recommendation to reconfigure the NOC to include ODPM and other agencies operational during the 2012-2015 period, emphasizing that comprehensive disaster readiness requires multi-sectoral coordination rather than isolated police responsibility.

A devoted reader has expressed profound disappointment upon learning about the imminent shutdown of Newsday, marking the end of a 32-year legacy in Trinidad and Tobago’s media landscape. In a heartfelt letter to the editor, the reader identified as C Denoon acknowledged the newspaper’s pivotal role in keeping citizens informed about local, regional, and international developments.

The correspondence, submitted via email, highlighted the publication’s significance as a platform for public discourse, noting personal gratitude for having multiple letters published over the years. The reader characterized Newsday as an institutional pillar within the nation’s media ecosystem, emphasizing its contribution to an informed citizenry.

While expressing sadness about the closure, the author acknowledged the inevitability of such transitions, stating that goodbyes remain an unavoidable aspect of life. The message concluded with a simple yet poignant farewell to the publication that had served Trinidad and Tobago for more than three decades.

The closure represents a significant shift in the country’s media environment, removing a long-standing voice that had provided news coverage and commentary across multiple domains including politics, social issues, and international affairs.

Belmont-based independent mas band Vulgar Fraction is poised to introduce its groundbreaking 2026 Carnival presentation titled ‘TantiBlak’ through two significant events scheduled for January 21 and 28. Both gatherings will convene at 24 Erthig Road, Belmont commencing at 6:30 pm, featuring a live discussion and official band launch respectively.

According to founder and creative director Robert Young, TantiBlak represents an innovative cultural synthesis that channels the anti-anti-blackness movement through the symbolic Caribbean figure of the Tantie—a revered icon embodying care, truth, and resistance. This conceptual framework extends beyond mere opposition to racism, embracing a broader practice of refusal and reimagining societal structures.

The philosophical foundation positions Blackness not as a racial category but as a dynamic condition of becoming—characterized by fluidity, incompletion, and boundless potential. This perspective acknowledges how Blackness is shaped through historical loss, survival mechanisms, cultural improvisation, and the courage to transcend externally imposed limitations.

Young explains the conceptual origin: ‘The terminology emerged from contemplating our collective response to anti-blackness, which we term anti-anti-blackness. The phonetic resonance between ‘anti’ and ‘aunty’ naturally evolved into Tantie—the reassuring figure who affirms self-worth while teaching resistance without self-erasure.’

Vulgar Fraction deliberately grounds this global discourse in Caribbean vernacular through Carnival expressions, making complex theoretical concepts accessible through masquerade, kaiso, and local cultural frameworks. The project examines how blackness transcends identity politics, functioning as an experimental space that raises fundamental questions about power dynamics, historical erasure, and how marginalized communities navigate dominant systems.

Citing philosopher Bayo Akomolafe’s concept of cracks as spaces where new worlds are rehearsed, Young emphasizes: ‘We’re fascinated by the crack not as weakness but as intelligence—precisely where the Tantie demonstrates her resilience through strategic adaptation and skillful navigation of challenging circumstances.’

The band’s aesthetic approach will feature layered black textures creating simultaneous sensations of menace and intimacy. ‘I want the presentation to feel unsettling yet affirming,’ Young notes, ‘inviting participants to confront internalized anti-blackness while reflecting on self-definition and protection.’

The January 21 live talk will feature cultural practitioners Camille Quamina, Omari Ashby, and mental health professional Shivonne DuBarry. The band launch culminates in a procession led by moko jumbie king Adrian ‘Daddy Jumbie’ Young accompanied by Egbe Omo Oni Isese drummers, with presentations by researcher Abeo Jackson and cultural creative Marva Newton. A post-Carnival discussion featuring Professor Kevin Adonis Brown is scheduled for February.

The Ministry of Culture and Community Development has unveiled a significant new initiative designed to provide sustained support for the nation’s cultural pioneers and veterans. Announced by Minister Michelle Benjamin, the program specifically targets those individuals who have played foundational roles in shaping the country’s cultural identity.

This comprehensive support framework aims to ensure that cultural icons and practitioners receive meaningful assistance during difficult periods, addressing concerns about their welfare and recognition. The initiative represents a formal commitment to protecting those who have contributed substantially to the nation’s cultural heritage.

The announcement, which featured Minister Benjamin alongside renowned calypso legend Timothy ‘Baron’ Watkins, has been welcomed as a necessary step in honoring cultural contributors. According to the ministry’s statement, the program will focus on three primary objectives: recognizing artistic achievements, securing the well-being of aging artists, and preserving their legacies for future generations.

In a letter to the editor, commentator Gerald Agostini praised the initiative as “long overdue” and expressed hope that the support system would remain in place for years to come. The program addresses growing concerns about the welfare of aging cultural figures who have historically received inadequate institutional support despite their significant contributions to national identity.