LONDON, 27th July 2012 – Nineteen months ago H.E. Garvin Nicholas, High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, promised to produce am ambitious Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Village to celebrate our country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.
Senator the Hon. Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment
The High Commissioner envisaged that a cultural exploration of Trinidad and Tobago would be the ideal forum to leverage on the visitors to the London Olympics. In keeping with this vision, the Trinidad and Tobago Culture Fest was launched on Wednesday 25th July .
The journey to raise funds, secure entertainers, arrange accommodation and roll out an incredibly diverse programme of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture during the busiest period in London, was successfully launched with hundreds of guests and media on a beautiful London evening, the hottest for the year.
Nigel Rojas of Orange Sky
The launch which was sponsored by BPTT was well attended. Specially invited guests included the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment Senator the Hon. Vasant Bharath, Regional President of BP Trinidad and Tobago Mr Norman Christie who attended with his wife and several members of his team, and Mr. Robert Riley, Head of Safety and Operational Risk Competency and Capability, BP. Mr. Rajiv Shandilya, Chairman of the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago was also in attendance.
Robert Riley, BP chatting with Andrew Ramroop and guest
Guests were impressed by the transformation of the Tricycle Theatre into a warm Caribbean environment that is distinctly Trinidad and Tobago. Coconut trees were erected at the entrance and a sign placed welcomed all to “Trinidad and Tobago”. Even the weather cooperated. The sun shone brightly leaving many to ask if that too had been brought to London for the Village.
The Trinidad and Tobago Village
The Trinidad and Tobago inspired canapés by chef Hasan De Four proved to be a hit. His Angostura Rum Shrimp and mini-saheenas with tamarind dip were especially popular. The House of Angostura, which is supporting the Trinidad and Tobago Culture Fest, ensured that everyone was treated to their specially blended cocktails for the entire evening Performing at the launch was a variety of expatriate and resident talent from Trinidad and Tobago.
These included Mungal Patasar and the Pantar, Orange Sky, UWI Dance Ensemble, and Classical Indian dancer Rohini Kumar. 3Canal closed the show with a rousing performance that brought the crowd to its feet, and was according to the High Commissioner, “a brilliant showing”. He is inviting the public to come and experience all this and more at the Trinidad and Tobago Culture Fest.
3Canal
The Trinidad and Tobago Culture Fest will run for four weeks over the Olympic period in London. It is housed at the Tricycle Theatre and will feature many components of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture including art, music, dance, theatre, cuisine and more. H.E. Garvin Nicholas says “This is something that I feel very strongly about.
Norman Christie, President of BP Trinidad and Tobago
We have such a rich and diverse culture and it is very important that we share it with the world.” His Excellency is confident that the Culture Fest will do much to raise the profile of Trinidad and Tobago in the United Kingdom.
left to right, Rajiv Shandiyla, Chairman of the TDC, Senator the Hon. Vasant Bharath and H.E. Garvin Nicholas
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