News Bulletins & Editorials-Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC

News Bulletins & Editorials

Christmas “Trinidad Style"

Parang On December 18th, 2011, the "Parang" Carol Ships Family Dinner & Dance Cruise set sail once again, on board the MV Harbour Princess. But what is Parang? Maybe not everybody who loves Caribbean music and culture can answer that.

If you ask anyone in Vancouver what Trinidad and Tobago is famous for, they will likely say, “Carnival!”, “Steelpan” or “Calypso”. A less well-known aspect of the islands’ culture is Parang music, an integral part of the Christmas tradition. Parang can be traced back to the Latin influences on Trinidad’s heritage and is attributed to the island’s close proximity to Venezuela, rather than from the island’s Spanish colonisers.

Support for Haiti

I am happy to say that there have been positive developments regarding support for Haiti in the local Caribbean community.

** NOTE: SEE CALENDAR FOR HAITIAN ASSOCIATION POTLUCK DETAILS click here ***

The TTCS held a meeting on Sunday, January 17th 2010 and took 3 decisions:

A Special Soul

Dear members and friends,

Our community lost a very special person on October 2, 2009, when Mrs. Lyris Aquing, Treasurer of the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC for many years, passed on after an extended battle with cancer.

Despite the warning signs, when the end came, it was still a shock. It is not easy to reconcile that this gentle soul is no longer with us. She was truly wonderful in the eyes of so many.

Although Lyris expressed clearly that she did not wish for any recognition of this sort, we would be sorely remiss if we did not take time to mention the exceptional significance that she holds in the history of our Society. She deserves the highest honour for the sacrifices she made for us, and recognition of the personal suffering it caused -- always endured with her quiet dignity.

Continued...

Greetings from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

This year at Caribbean Days Festival, we received a letter that truly underscores how the Festival successfully meets its mandate to promote multiculturalism in our part of Canada.

The letter, from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, can be viewed here. The full text follows.

A Call to Join Forces

Are you a second-generation or other younger member of the local Caribbean community in Vancouver? If so, here is an invitation for you.

Kiss Ka Dee Kalling: The TTCS Newsletter

Apply Now View an archived edition of Kiss Ka Dee Kalling