TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago is the Land of Festivals and the Capital of Culture. Its vibrant cultural landscape comprises (but is not limited to) representation from Africa, the Americas (i.e. First Peoples), China, Europe, India, and the Middle East. It has become home to many rich festivals form these regions e.g. Ancestral Masquerades, Carnival, Christmas, Divali, Eid, Hosay, the Oshun, Obatala and Olokun Festivals and Ramleela. The country also developed several major celebrations on its own. Examples of these are: African Emancipation, Best Village, Bocas Lit Fest, Indian Arrival Day, Santa Rosa Carib Festival, Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day and Trinidad and Tobago Carnival (with its unique suite of artistic creations i.e. Calypso, Pan and Mas). These festivals have helped seed the creativity within the space that resulted in a rich milieu of artforms and cultural practices like the Bélé, Bongo, Calypso, Chutney, Chutey-Soca, Kuchipudi, the Limbo, Mas, Parang, Rapso, Soca, the Steelpan, and Tassa.

Q

Carifesta XV

The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) was initiated by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 1972 to celebrate the arts, foster a vision of Caribbean unity and to positively advance Caribbean culture regionally and internationally. It is CARICOM’s premiere arts festival and is an important mechanism for regional integration and festival tourism. The festival presents a significant opportunity for practitioners to develop new markets and business relationships and to promote their artistic excellence.

It is a roving Festival i.e. editions are staged in different CARICOM countries. Each edition usually encompasses seminars, workshops, craft markets, fashion, parades and the visual, performing, culinary, media and literary arts. It covers a ten (10) day period, which includes two (2) weekends i.e. it starts on a Friday and ends on the second Sunday thereafter.

Trinidad and Tobago at CARIFESTA XV 2025

Trinidad and Tobago is regarded has the regional leader in CARIFESTA, has participated in every edition of the festival and has hosted the event more times than any other nation. These editions, (CARIFESTA V, 1992, CARIFESTA VI, 1995, CARIFESTA IX, 2006 and CARIFESTA XIV, 2019), are widely perceived as having made a significant contribution to the resuscitation and redefinition of the festival.

The 2025 Official Delegation shall comprise upwards of 140 persons. It shall prioritise representation in the Grand Market (via the Country Booth, Grand Market Food Court and the Country Night), and the Visual Arts Exhibition. These Delegates shall comprise the Performing Arts Companies of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), and accomplished groups and individuals in the Visual Arts Culinary Arts, Soca, Chutney Soca, Indian Dance, Tassa, Calypso, Folk Theatre, Film, Artisanry, Literary Arts and a representative from the First Peoples Community. These Delegates will provide representation at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Community Festivals, Youth Talent Showcase and Dance Challenge, raft Market, Symposia, Art Fair, Film & Literary Festival, Business Forum, Workshops and similar activities.

National Days and Festivals

A number of holidays have developed to honour our multifaceted heritage and diversity. This means that almost every month there is a festival being observed; be it a religious event, a secular holiday or a combination of both, Trinbagonians will usually mark it in some expressive ways. Trinidad & Tobago has a long history of folk-form, theatrical, and street performance. Local dance spans regional Folk types—such as Limbo, Bongo, and Bélé — to Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Indian Classical and other world styles. Trinbago is also globally acknowledged for producing spectacular music; this small nation is established as the motherland of Calypso, Soca and Chutney, genres which have evolved over time from the fusion of our myriad cultural influences. As the birthplace of the Steelpan, it’s not surprising that our National Musical Instrument often takes center stage. The greatest platform for the indigenous central musical styles can be most prominently seen during the mega-festival of Carnival. Come partake of the celebrations and enjoy yourself!

Culinary Arts

“You have to taste a culture to understand it.”

Deborah Carter

A multitude of ingredients, a diverse array of traditions, a selection of seasonal fruits and an endless joy of living… these are but some of the elements which make up the delicious food and drinks of Trinidad & Tobago. When blended with our various cultural festivals and observances, both visitors and locals are treated to a veritable feast for the senses and soul. We invite you to take a trip and whet your tongue for all the sweetness this twin Island Paradise has to offer.

Built and Natural Heritage

The Built and Natural sites of Trinidad & Tobago— from buildings specific to our post-Colonial background to resplendent ecological sites — all help form both the personality, and the visual landscape of the nation. Diversity can be seen not only in our people and culture, but in our architecture and environment as well. Between both islands, there are various elements of natural splendour in both flora and fauna and ecological geography. Mountain ranges, wetlands, mangrove swamps, limestone caves and numerous beaches all form the makeup of the islands. There is much to see and experience in the Capital of Culture, so let your imagination take a tour with us to some of the most beautiful spaces you may ever see.