News Releases

Biddeau Drum Festival returns with “Drums: The Healing of the Nation”

For Release Upon Receipt - July 24, 2013

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad & Tobago – The Department of Creative and Festival Arts of The University of the West Indies (UWI) is collaborating with the Eastern Emancipation and Cultural Committee and the Afro-Caribbean Drummers Association of Trinidad & Tobago to host the 3rd Biddeau Drum Symposium, part of the Biddeau Drum Festival on August 3rd.  The festival is comprised of three principal events, beginning with the Saraka Ancestral Fest on July 31 from 7:00 pm at the headquarters of the Eastern Emancipation and Cultural Committee on LP7, Minors Trace, Matura. Next is the Biddeau Drum Symposium on August 3 at the Open Campus Auditorium, Gordon Street, St. Augustine from 9:30am to 4:00 pm. The festival closes with the Saraka Workshop on August 28 at the Desperadoes Pan Theatre on Laventille Road from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The Biddeau Drum Symposium, “Drums: The Healing of a Nation”, promotes and builds upon the contribution of the Biddeau family, in particular, Andrew and Jeffrey Biddeau, to the cultural heritage of Trinidad & Tobago. Through a panel discussion and drumming demonstrations, participants will explore and discuss different ways in which the drum can be used as a healing tool.

Organising committee chairman Jeffrey Peter Biddeau noted that while the festival started in 2011, the Saraka has been a celebration of the Biddeau Clan for generations. Saraka, or nation dance, emanated mainly from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, namely Carriacou, and Grenada. It is a celebration of the different nations (tribes) who came to the Caribbean during chattel slavery. “They celebrate via song, dance, and drums and are mainly used in celebration of our ancestors”, he said.

Panellists for the symposium include Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance), President of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation; Dr. Regla Diago and Jamil Bisnath, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Tassa Association.

The events are free and open to the public. For further information, please contact Jeffrey Peter Biddeau at 791-2301.

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