The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago is hosting its first Archives Awareness Week.
The public is cordially invited to participate in the First Annual Archives Awareness Week carded for November 26th to 30th, 2012 entitled “Preserving Memories, Enriching Lives”.
–>Learn about your past
–>Share experiences on developing your family history
–>Join us on a journey on Trinidad’s railway
–>Tell us what you remember, show us what you kept
Come share with us as we celebrate our nation’s documentary heritage.
Trinidad and Tobago has lost another of its cultural masters. Bertram “Bertie” Marshall has passed away on Wednesday 17th Ocober 2012. He was 76. Pan innovator Bertie Marshall is the inventor of the Double Tenor Steelpan.He was born in 1936 in Port of Spain and by 18 he was tuning steelpans..
‘Mr. Marshall was dissatisfied with what he called ping pong’s inferior tone. By 1956 Bertie Marshall had accomplished the most significant development in today’s steelpan tone, revolutionizing the method of tuning, by changing the instrument from the inharmonic style. By tuning the notes by octaves and introducing complex tuning techniques he produced harmonics, giving the steelpan its complex sound. By discovering and establishing this harmonic tuning method he is singularly responsible for the sound of today’s frontline steelband instruments, brightening the overall sound in the process’
Bertie Marshall tuning steelpan
Awards:
The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (2008)
Chaconia Gold Medal, given for “Outstanding Service to the Country” (1992)
Two awards at the World Steelband Festival 2000, one “For Innovation and Contribution in Respect of the Steel Drum” and the other being the largest award given at the Festival, “Pan Trinbago and Signature 2000 Salute Bertie Marshall Steelpan Innovator Extraordinaire”
In this Jubilee year, Trinidad and Tobago has another reason to celebrate. This year represent 100 years of calypso recording. It all startedin 1912. Presumably the very first recording of a Calypso from Trinidad dates back to the year 1912. The first local band to be recorded was Lovey’s String Band, the band recorded several songs in America in 1912.
LOVEYS STRING BAND: MANGO VERT 1912
Find out more about 100 years of recording Calypso at the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago. See Invitation for details
The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago (NATT) as any other archival institution understands the need to fully embrace and explore the core function of outreach and public education. The Jubilee year presents a special opportunity for the archives to inform the national community of the rich and vibrant history behind the nation through the rich store of record it holds.
As such the National Archives will host a year of events and activities commemorating Trinidad and Tobago Golden Jubilee. The National Archives has also partnered with the Department of History, University of the West Indies St. Augustine in hosting a number of events. The activities are geared towards a wide cross-section of the citizenry. The series of activities and events is entitled “Fifty Years Come and Gone, How Yuh Feel”, inspired by a local calypso by Lord Funny. The activities encompass a series of panel discussions and exhibitions, it is hoped that these activities will ask participants to evaluate and consider the pre and post independence journeys as well as the ways in which they have partake in the process.
The flag of Trinidad and Tobago consists of a red base with an off centered black diagonal stripe originating in the top left corner and running across the flag. The black stripe is bordered on both sides by a thin white stripe.The flag was chosen by the Independence committee in 1962. Red, black and white symbolize fire (the sun, representing courage), earth (representing dedication) and water (representing purity and equality), respectively. As you will see in the Video below, Carlise Chang was responsible for designing Trinidad and Tobago’s National Flag.
Be the first to read Part 2 subscribe to this blog !
National flag of Trinidad and Tobago – Carlisle Chang
These videos are on youtube and were posted by the Ministry of Tourism. As you watch, take time to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still must go. Remember that our history defines us and can make or break us.
Happy Independence Trinidad and Tobago!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Also, The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago invites you to its Independence and Republic Day Exhibit 2010, hosted at the NATT’s Search room.
