THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has said the falling of Tobago’s famed silk cotton tree in December 2020 not only symbolised the island’s struggles during the covid19 pandemic but also inspired hope in a people to rise from the doldrums.

In a pre-recorded address on Friday night at the opening of the 35th instalment of the Tobago Heritage Festival at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Augustine said reflected on the theme of the Tobago Performing Arts Company’s (TPAC) production, Treasures of the Tree, which was centred around the silk cotton in Culloden.

[caption id="attachment_966066" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kedisha Thomas, centre, who acted Ms Yvonne Yiede warns Levee Rodriquez, left, who acted Noel Quashie, and his brother Dwayne White, right, who acted Monty Quashie about going to The Great Silk Cotton Tree during their performance at opening of the Tobago Heritage Festival at Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Friday. - Photo by David Reid[/caption]

“Treasures of the Tree: could not be more fitting for this opening night. The falling of our silk cotton tree at Culloden during the height of the pandemic was perhaps prophetic. It certainly was situationally ironic.

“In many ways it reflected our own societal struggles and ultimately losses to progress, to modernity and to covid19. But is also inspired hope, determination and a call to action to which many responded positively."

He said whenever “one great tree falls, another seed must be planted in faith."

“Indeed, one was planted and we are experiencing new growth and renewed recognition of our potential for even greater development.”

[caption id="attachment_966065" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Zari Kerr, left who acted as Badru, warns a curious Dwayne White, centre, who acted Monty Quashie about the powers that existed under Tobago's Great Silk Cotton Tree , at opening of The Tobago Heritage Festival at Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Friday. - Photo by David Reid[/caption]

Augustine was referring to the work of the TPAC, which he described as “one of our positive examples of new growth, resilience and excellence.”

Delighted that the heritage festival has returned to an in-person audience, he said, “This pride goes beyond my presence as chief secretary. Tonight (Friday), I am a son of the soil seeing our heritage blossom once more, having been unceremoniously halted by the impact of the pandemic for the past two years.

[caption id="attachment_966064" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Les Coteaux Folk Performers during their bamboo-styled dance at the Tobago Heritage Festival at Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Friday. - Photo by David Reid[/caption]

“Tonight, she returns more colourful and beautiful as the biggest expression of our culture, our togetherness and our uniqueness, a reminder that we have much more to offer the world.”

“Our foreparents dug deep to summon the resilience needed in years past to bring us to this future. Without a doubt, so can we.”

[caption id="attachment_966063" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Zari Kerr,