Trinidad and Tobago: Children's carnival is playful and educational

teleSUR English

*Children have to rehearse, prepare costumes and learn choreographies *Children between 5 and 12 years participate in the carnival *Parents also take part in the carnival *Children’s carnival safeguards a beautiful tradition for the future

Transcript

00:00 It could be said that Trinidad and Tobago experiences the carnival twice.

00:05 One is the great Bacchanal that fills the city and is already famous in the world.

00:11 The other one is the Children's Festival, a junior carnival, so to speak.

00:16 For the children, these days are a vacation, but not a rest.

00:20 They change their uniforms for the sudden costumes, the sequins, feathers and headdresses.

00:27 The public admires them and flocks to the Central Station, Savannah Park, to watch them

00:33 parade.

00:34 Many of the spectators also have other reasons for coming to cheer them on.

00:39 To give the children that support so that they're able to come out, because we had our

00:46 So, especially for the young folks, I think it's very important to, like you said, for

00:53 the culture to learn about history and we have, we're losing it around the world, in

01:02 America, but it's great that something like this still exists.

01:06 It is their heritage.

01:08 It's part of their culture.

01:11 There's no reason why they shouldn't participate and have fun with it, you know.

01:16 So this is who we are.

01:19 This is what we are about, you know.

01:22 So it is a natural thing.

01:25 For them, it is a moment of protagonism in which they imitate part of what their elders

01:30 do.

01:31 Before arriving on this gigantic stage, they rehearse, prepare the costumes and learn choreographies.

01:38 The categories are a challenge to the imagination, innovation, fantasy and traditional.

01:45 Under that premise, they must develop the theme of their choice, ranging from local

01:50 nature to futuristic themes, iconic landscape, horse carts or a tribute to neighboring nations.

01:58 All this is first conceived by the teachers who, through fun, educate them.

02:03 They learn how to jump up, socialize and have fun with their department and their girls,

02:09 their friends.

02:10 So they had fun learning about the Boko Haram and the different aspects of Tobago.

02:14 According to the rules, children from 5 to 12 years old parade here.

02:19 But the reality is that everyone wants to be here.

02:23 For this reason, first come the youngest ones who even need assistance from their parents

02:28 because they are still in preschool and even babies.

02:31 They come the most advanced in age.

02:34 68 bands make it to the final in front of a specialized panel of judges.

02:40 Some parade as a group.

02:42 Others are the start of the theme.

02:44 Some of them help out, but all want to win.

02:47 Despite the competitions, the most important things is always the enjoyment and the camaraderie.

02:54 I love it.

02:55 I love it.

02:56 It's so much fun.

02:57 You know, it's the time to just free up.

03:00 Yes, it's very fun and I think I will do it in the future.

03:04 I walk on stilts.

03:05 Sometimes I'm in Moko Jambi.

03:07 It's really fun.

03:08 I was helping.

03:09 I am 10 years old and I helped with my band.

03:15 It's called the Ballatas.

03:16 I really enjoyed it.

03:17 It was really nice.

03:20 Without interfering in what their children are doing, the parents also take action.

03:25 They are well aware that this is an activity that not only brings entertainment to their

03:30 children but also values that bring them closer to their folklore, their national identity

03:35 and culture.

03:36 It's always a lovely time at Sacred Heart.

03:39 So it's like our, what, fourth year, fifth year?

03:42 It has been a good time.

03:44 Definitely Carnival is part of our culture in Trinidad and Tobago and the girls learn

03:47 about it in school as well.

03:48 So it's great that the school gives them the opportunity to parade.

03:52 The Children's Carnival, although made by little ones, is as important and expected

03:58 as the adult one.

03:59 They may not know it, but they safeguard a beautiful tradition for the future when they

04:05 will also teach other generations the values of Carnival.

04:09 Garis Quezada, a special envoy from the ports of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.

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