The Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to express its sincerest thanks to the thousands of citizens who participated in Independence celebrations throughout Trinidad and Tobago yesterday. All reports confirmed that this year’s activities attracted the largest crowds ever seen at these celebrations, signalling, as it did, the return of the people’s celebration to the streets.
The joy seen on the faces of young and old over the last month, the sheer exuberance on the faces of those who followed the military parades both in Port of Spain and Scarborough, and the unabashed displays of patriotism through the creative use of the national colours, red, white, and black, all point to one inescapable fact: as our Honourable Prime Minister always states, ‘we have boundless faith in our destiny’. As proud as we are of our significant achievements over the past 60 years, we are prouder still of the love we share as a country. At our Diamond Jubilee, this love of our nation was tangibly demonstrated by the large crowds that came out to celebrate as one people.
The Government also wishes to thank most sincerely all those who have contributed in any way to ensuring the success of these celebrations. According to Housing and Urban Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, who chaired the Government’s Planning Committee, “The celebratory activities were all successful because each person in their own small way demonstrated the true essence of being “Trinbagonian,” that is, seeing light where others see darkness, utilizing our God-given creativity to make others happy, and ensuring that no one was left behind.” She also gave kudos to the Cultural Caravan, which traversed the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that every citizen had the opportunity to celebrate. Minister Robinson-Regis stated that the different activities will conclude with the celebration of the 46th anniversary of the country’s attainment of Republican status on September 24th, 2022.
The Government is particularly thankful to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, who added a regional flavour to the celebrations, bringing with him the greetings and best wishes of the Jamaican people. His glowing tribute to this country’s first Prime Minister and father of the nation, Dr. Eric Williams, delivered at the opening of the Dr. Eric Williams Memorial Public Library, will forever be remembered as the closing of the circle, putting to bed the iconic statement “One from ten leaves zero.”
The Government wishes to encourage citizens to visit the PatriARTism exhibition of paintings at Mille Fleurs, White Hall, and Stollmeyer’s Castle, which will run until September 30, 2022. These art pieces have been generously donated by the House of Angostura, First Citizens, and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, all homegrown and internationally respected institutions. Additionally, the Diamond Jubilee art exhibition at Parliament’s Rotunda and the National Library’s “Forged from the Love of Liberty” exhibition will continue to be open to the public.
In a similar vein 60 MORE, the food and cultural village utilizing Whitehall as the backdrop, will continue until September 4th, 2022, and all are invited to attend.
