The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is marking World Steel Pan Day for a second year, using the occasion to celebrate the history and cultural significance of the national instrument.
Families gathered at the National Trust’s heritage site on Saturday for a programme featuring the Steel Pan Association, steel bands and cultural groups, along with rhythm sections and a Tambu Bamboo presentation.
National Trust Interim Chief Executive Officer Graeme Suite says the event is also about ensuring younger generations understand the origins and development of the steelpan.
“We also feature work from the two rhythm sections and the tamboo bamboo. It’s important that young people get an appreciation for where the pan that we hear today in Panama comes from. It has very humble origins, and it speaks to the persistence of our spirit to champion our cause and to build a strong culture that is creatively directed.”
Mr Suite says the National Trust plans to continue hosting the event at heritage properties under its management.
He says the decision to hold the celebration at the Millie Fleurs site is also intended to encourage the public to make use of and engage with the country’s heritage spaces.
The purpose also of having it here at Millie Fleur is it’s about 125 years old. It’s one of the most important heritage sites in Trinidad and Tobago. And we don’t want people to feel like it is something on the shelf that they must only look at from outside. We use our principle called adaptive reuse, whereby we host different types of activities and allow third parties to come here.
He says additional cultural events are planned for later this year, including activities in September, October, for Diwali and during the Christmas season.