The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT), in collaboration with the Port of Spain City Corporation launched the Pan African Festival TT 2024 at the Murchison Brown Auditorium, City Hall. The launch returned to its beginnings when the Emancipation celebrations were held at City Hall and neighbouring Woodford Square.
The theme for this year is Moving Forward with Our Heads Up as the ESCTT commemorates the 186th anniversary of Emancipation; the final year of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent and the 20th anniversary of the Caribbean Pan African Network of which the ESCTT is the Secretariat.
“We were happy to have the support of His Worship Chinua Alleyne, Mayor of the City of Port of Spain this year as the PAFTT has as its home the City of Port of Spain,” said Zakiya Uzoma-Wadada, executive director of the ESCTT.
The Launch unveiled activities for this year’s celebration, while it joins the African continent and the African Diaspora in the commemoration of African Liberation Day/Africa Day. The event was launched by a representative of the Ministry of Tourism Culture and the Arts and included presentations from distinguished guests comprising representatives of the continent of Africa and members of the diplomatic corps in T&T.
The feature speaker is Dr. June Soomer, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. Soomer, an outstanding Caribbean diplomat who hails from St. Lucia, was the first woman to serve as Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs. She was also the first female Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). Dr Soomer is an accomplished author and historian, who continues to advocate for equality and equity in sustainable development, particularly in the Caribbean Region.
The event also included cultural performances from the Chaguanas Women and Youth Group, singer/songwriter Ataklan, and young pannist Judah Barker.
“We believe the PAFTT will be even bigger this year and we look forward to increased participation from here and abroad in the premier African national heritage festival of Trinidad and Tobago,” Uzoma-Wadada said.
