The 2025 Tobago Heritage Festival officially started on Thursday with the Opening Gala at the Shaw Park Complex.
The event, hosted by the Tobago Festivals Commission in partnership with the Tobago Performing Arts Company, saw a unique expression of Tobago’s dances, folklore, oral traditions and music in a stage production titled “When Time Meets Twine.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine reflected on the conception of the festival by Stanley Baird and Dr J. D. Elder, as he noted the festival’s overall theme, “Time Longer than Twine,” is fitting.
“Many dreams that we had over the years that remain unfulfilled, and sometimes it feels as though those dreams are stifled from another place, but we live in a space where it will be wise to remember that time longer than twine. To remember that some day soon we will actually get the benefit of the dreams that we have had for so long.”
The night’s stage production brought a unique twist, personifying Time and Twine, and demonstrating a battle between Time, who was weary of carrying the weight of the past, and Twine, who was committed to preserving it.
Noteworthy in this year’s production was its youthful cast. Tobago Festivals Commission Chief Executive Officer Kern Cowan said this was intentional.
“To place Tobago’s people, stories, and culture at the heart of all we do. Every decision, every celebration, every step forward is grounded in that commitment. Throughout the month, across every village and stage, you will find events that do more than entertain – they connect. From the rhythm of our ancestors to the creativity of the new generation, this festival is a celebration of who we are.”
Two of Tobago’s icons, community stalwart Elsa Thompson and musical genius Lawrence ‘Wax’ Crooks, were honoured at the gala.
The festival continued on Friday with a food fair.
Activities move to the northern end of the island on Saturday with Northside Passion in Castara.