Monologues on the 1990 insurrection and the history of the Port-of-Spain lighthouse were some of the presentations by primary school students yesterday to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the capital city.
Port-of-Spain would be celebrating 96 years on June 26. The function was held at City Hall, Port-of-Spain, and was hosted by the Mayor Murchison Browne. The mayor was absent at the opening of the two-day function yesterday but is scheduled to speak today at the closing and prize-giving ceremony. Several primary school students from Port-of-Spain, who were awaiting their SEA results, recounted some of the city's historical content through arts and drama. Tear Joseph, of the Eastern Girls' Government, performed the "Spirit of the Lighthouse". Dressed in all white, Joseph confidently told the story of the 168-year-old lighthouse, which was once the tallest structure in the city. Joseph said the lighthouse which was constructed in 1842 was built to deal with the increasing number of ships and vessels using the Port-of-Spain harbour.
"No longer functional, the lighthouse which stands at the bottom of Broadway became a historical landmark in 1960," Joseph said. But she asked her schoolmates to remember its significance by winking and waving at it when they passed. Then, Rosary Boys acted out a scene from one of the major social unrests that took place in T&T – the water riots. Martin Fornillier related the events surrounding the riots on March 23, 1903, some of which were the burning down of the Red House, the death of about 16 people and several street protests.
Fornillier, who depicted the Red House, reminded the audience of its significance as it was reopened on February 4, 1907. Nishanna Rambaran, of Scared Heart Girls, RC, informed the students when the city introduced trains and technology, such as the telephone. However, no citizen could imagine the city of Port-of-Spain without the Queens' Park Savannah. This was Daryon Romany, of Rosary Boys, presentation. He highlighted the many uses of the 260 acres of land and its importance.