This Saturday (June 8, 2019), the Finals of the Best Village competition kicks off at the Five Rivers Secondary School from 9:00 am and runs through to Saturday 24th August, 2019.
Trinidad and Tobago’s rich multi-cultural diversity continues to infuse a sense of pride as it explodes on the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition (PMBVTC) stage. For over 56 years, this competition has been a story of community vision, extra-ordinary talent, exquisite indigenous cuisine, and a preserver of T&T’s culture and folk tradition. For 2019, there have been some changes to the format of the programme. The preliminary round was replaced to allow for more tutoring and preparation time.
The Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition is an initiative of the Division of Community Development, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. This competition continues to be a major avenue for the protection and preservation of Trinidad and Tobago’s indigenous culture and provides a platform for self-expression, skills transfer, artistic ingenuity and community spirit, particularly in youth. Nascent talents are discovered and citizens of all generations interact, exchange ideas and celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s rich heritage.
While Trinidad remains the main competition hub, Tobago, having returned to the competition in 2017, also participates in this keenly contested event, that is open to all villages, community councils, women’s groups, youth groups, sporting and cultural organizations in five (5) categories:
1. Food Fair (Menu of the Day)
2. La Reine Rive (Ms. Best Village)
3. Folk Productions/Presentations
4. Literature (Village Chat/Poetry/Short Story)
5. Junior Best Village (non-competitive)
Dr. the Honourable, Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, stated that, “for 2019, the competition is even more intense as groups with scores 70% and over secure a place in the Folk Arts Festival, which forms part of the CARIFESTA XIV August 16-25, 2019. This is a unique and rare opportunity for some groups as the best of the Best Village community will perform in the biggest regional Festival of the Arts affording them regional and international exposure.”
For more information and schedule updates visit cdca.gov.tt or the Ministry’s Facebook and IG pages.