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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