After being shrouded in uncertainty, Tobago band leaders will be participating in this year’s carnival.
Confirmation of their involvement came on Tuesday during the media launch of Tobago Carnival 2023 from the head of the Tobago Festivals Commission John Arnold and followed threats from the mas fraternity to boycott next month’s event over insufficient funding.
Tuesday’s event which featured masqueraders and also included entertainment and musical performances could have had a completely different look following the recent impasse between the Tobago House of Assembly and the Tobago Band Leaders Association (TBLA).
Questioned about whether there were discussions following the fallout with the TBLA led by interim chair Gemma Bedlow-Dennis, the Festivals Commission’s CEO said he has been in constant communication and has received the assurance that the island’s streets are set to cascade with colours.
He said, “The mas participants are here, they’re here because Ms Bedlow said they will be participating.”
Arnold said there has been no change to the $1.3 million allocation which had caused the contention.
Arnold said, “One of the things I said on the air, and I’m sure you heard, is the whole thing about what I call funding empathy on the governance side and funding empathy on the creative side, the issue is how do you marry those two and how we meet in the middle and that happens from consultations, negotiation and discussions, that we did. All this was discussed including the flow of the programme, the calendar of events so at this point, barring any other instruction, as far as I know, the budget remains the same.”
John noted that accompanying Bedlow-Dennis’ change of heart were pledges of the spectacular.
He said, “She has promised two things, that we will see more participation and also the quality of the mas, there will be significant improvement in that for 2023.”
During the stand-off, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine noted that the band leaders had done much more with mas for much less during the island’s October carnival.
Arnold, who also agreed, said preservation of the art form trumped all else.
He said, “We have to, and the mas leaders agree, we’ve got to invest in some more training and also awareness to get more people in Tobago to play mas.”
Arnold also stated that discussions were held with health authorities on the island over COVID-19 concerns.
He said while a mask mandate is not in place, he is encouraging the public to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary in the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and transportation Meagan Morrison called for continued collaboration among carnival stakeholders on the island to strengthen the island’s carnival offering.
Morrison said, “As we usher in this new chapter I am expecting greatness, I welcome any recommendations, concerns and suggestions that come from you for I cannot do it myself, this administration cannot do it themselves we need you stakeholders to encourage and suggest and to do it with love.”
Following the recent announcement by the Chief Secretary to move away from carnival on the island in February and instead have it staged in October, Morrison said unless stakeholders agree to move away from the national leg of the festivities, it will continue for now as part of the calendar of events.