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CCNTV6
  • 1 year ago
If you are interested in Chinese culture, you might want to take the opportunity to visit the Rotunda of the Red House.


For the first time ever, an art exhibition of this nature is being hosted, highlighting various aspects of the Chinese contribution to this country. But there is something for animal lovers as well.


Alicia Boucher has the highlights.
Transcript
00:00Timeless Traditions, celebrating Chinese culture and legacies.
00:05The art exhibition features the works of 31 artists, 16 of them are under the age of 18
00:11and the youngest is 10 years old.
00:13President of the Senate Nigel De Freitas says Chinese migration to TNT initially came in
00:17four waves.
00:18The first being the voyage of the Fortitude in 1806, bringing laborers to the country.
00:24The second, also to provide labor, ended in 1866.
00:28Both failed in terms of sustained labor resources.
00:31The third wave, following the Chinese Revolution, there was an increase in immigration of Chinese
00:37families and merchants to Trinidad and Tobago.
00:41And finally, the fourth wave, began in the late 1970s, when China became an increasing
00:48economic partner on the world stage.
00:50More than 200 years later, several aspects of China are interwoven into the cultural
00:55fabric of TNT.
00:57De Freitas points to the contributions people of Chinese heritage have made, including to
01:02the cuisine, the introduction of Dragon Mask to Carnival by Patrick Jones, Dr. Kim Johnson's
01:07research on the steel pan, and recently, former chairman of NGC Mark Loquan, who received
01:14the order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:17Mr. Loquan was honored for his contributions in the sphere of national service in energy
01:22and steel pan innovation.
01:26These are but some of the positives our nationals, who have Chinese heritage, have added to our
01:31national history.
01:32Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to TNT Feng Xu says the exhibition is more
01:38than highlighting Chinese art, as it serves to deepen mutual understanding and appreciation
01:44of the interaction between both countries, which are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic
01:49relations.
01:50The emphasis lies on the future opportunities that await us.
01:56I firmly believe that with profound integration of our cultures and sustained collaboration,
02:04the relationship between China and Trinidad and Tobago will continue to strengthen and
02:08flourish.
02:10As it pertains specifically to the exhibition, De Freitas thanks the artists for responding
02:15to the call for submissions, calling it truly touching.
02:20With respect to the second exhibition, Their World, Our Responsibility, it's done to bring
02:24awareness to threats faced by local animal species in commemoration of World Animal Day
02:30on October 4th.
02:32Sixty-one artists are featured, twelve of them are under the age of 18, and the youngest
02:37is eight years old.
02:39Much thanks is also expressed to the Wildlife Conservation, Animals Alive TT, and the Prisons
02:45Art Ministry.
02:48These exhibitions are consistent with Parliament's commitment to engage the Sustainable Development
02:53Goals of the United Nations mandate.
02:56Founder of the El Securo Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Ricardo Meade, notes that animals
03:00are used in various ways, including for companionship and work.
03:05He believes if more care and empathy are shown to them, it would benefit the nation.
03:10And to a certain extent, we here in Trinidad and Tobago find ourselves greatly lacking.
03:15We need to do much better in this way of animal welfare, and in that way, increase
03:20our humanity.
03:22Soraya Romaine, also known as Genesis among the art community, speaks of the inspiration
03:27behind one of her acrylic pieces, titled Something Scratchin'.
03:32It was mostly a picture that I saw online that started the inspiration.
03:36I loved how the feathers were in the picture.
03:39I love the depth of it.
03:41She has other pieces in the rotunda, including a turtle and a hummingbird.
03:45Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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