Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2016 — 25th Anniversary Edition

Trinidad &
Tobago Film
Festival (ttff))
Now the second largest of
its kind in the region, the ttff
showcases a range of dramatic,
documentary, short,
and animated films from or
about Trinidad & Tobago,
the Caribbean, and the diaspora,
and hosts a number
of workshops, educational
initiatives, and development
programmes (trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com).
Ramleela and Divali
(public holiday))
Celebrated in October or November according to the moon,
this Hindu festival honours Mother Lakshmi (goddess of
light, beauty, riches and love) and celebrates the return
of Lord Rama from exile: thousands of flickering deyas
light his way. Felicity in south Trinidad is among the most
popular venues, though many public spaces are lit up for
the festival. At the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas, hundreds
take part in the ritual lighting of deyas at dusk on
the day itself. The Ramleela takes place just before Divali.
This nine-day festival dramatises the life of Lord Ram with
music and dancing. The best-known productions are held
in Couva and Felicity. Hindus across Trinidad attend the
outdoor spectacles, which involve bright costumes and an
epic finale.
Dancers perform at the Divali Nagar (City of Lights). Photo by Chris Anderson
38 discovertnt.com