Long before Trinidad and Tobago became the multicultural nation it is today, its story was being shaped by centuries of Spanish influence.
That shared history took centre stage on Wednesday as the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) launched the sixth edition of its Latin-Ibero American Festival.
Chairman of the Board of Directors at NALIS, Dr David Muhammad, says the festival is designed to do more than entertain, as it serves as a bridge between cultures while giving patrons a deeper appreciation of the traditions and histories of Latin America.
“This is one of the powers of what literacy is: that you can learn a culture, a history, a heritage, and a legacy of foreign lands without necessarily travelling there, but we can experience such times by exposing ourselves to such literature.”
Dr Muhammad noted that over the next six nights, the festival will bring together nine Latin American countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Venezuela, each providing visitors with a unique aspect of its culture.
“Each night we will be exposed to different aspects of these different Latin cultures. And in addition to music, art, literature, cuisine as well, all of which are important elements of what culture itself is.”
He explained that Trinidad was under Spanish rule for nearly 300 years, influencing many elements of the country’s culture, including place names and language, thus emphasising the importance of reconnecting with these historical ties.
“History and so reconnecting with cultural extracts from multiple Latin American nations, such as this Latin-Ibero American Festival, helps us to have an understanding of so many cultures and practices that we have in our society today that we may not even realise are connected to our Spanish past.”
The evening concluded with the screening of Yo Soy, Del Son a La Salsa, a film depicting the origins of salsa and the evolution of the Cuban Son, a traditional music and dance practice that blends singing, instruments, rhythm and movement.