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Trinidad Express Newspapers: News | Climate change at Piarco?

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20151202/news/cli...

Caribbean Trinidad_Tobago cultural_imperialism

    • Climate change at Piarco?

         
         
      • Published on Dec 2, 2015, 9:54 am AST
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      • Updated on Dec 3, 2015, 9:22 am AST
      •    
      • By Sue Ann Wayow
  • Trinidad Express Newspapers: News | Climate change at Piarco?
  • Airport: The winter scene at the Piarco International Airport. Source: Facebook profile of Gregory McGuire

  •  

    THE winter scene on display in the atrium of the Piarco International Airport, is annoying some people, who consider it inappropriate for tropical Trinidad and Tobago. But it may be coming down.

     

    On Wednesday, Minister of Works and Transport Fitzgerald Hinds told the Express that the concerns of citizens had been noted.

     

    He said: “I have noted the comments of some citizens of the republic, I had a conversation with officials at the Airports Authority. I am assured that public sentiments would be taken into account.”

     

    Hinds added: “ I feel confident that that conversation will put the citizens heart at rest.”

     

    Energy expert Gregory Mcguire posted on his Facebook page his disappointment at the decorations.

  • On Tuesday he wrote: “ Citizens of Trinbago - our still wonderful land. I happened to go to the Piarco International Airport last night and was greeted by the scenes in the pictures attached. I stood in my shoes stunned ! And I wondered. Where am I? What year is it? How could this happen? Yes, I know that there are those among us who celebrate Halloween and who climb on top of each other in the mad “Black Friday” shopping specials. Yes I know the American pop culture pervades our airways and that we have young people among us who emulate the worst of the American ghetto. But those are all private decisions made by individuals or by private sector hard nose business seeking to exploit the well known consumer preferences for things foreign. This is different.”

     

    He wrote: “ As Sprangalang would say, we have long since stopped listening to the “snows”. It was more than 35 years ago that the emergence of parang soca ushered in a new consciousness of the uniquely wonderful Trinbago Christmas. It was now 21 years since Machel Montano brought Soca Santa through Laventille in a big time Toyota. Now to face this abomination. This is NOT private space people. This is not Long Circular Mall known for its wintry decorations. This is our International Airport. This is the space where we only recently mounted a display in celebration of Divali. This is the space where, in three weeks time, we will be showcasing our Carnival- our mas, music and pan. To my mind, these displays are consistent with what I perceive to be the purpose of the Hall as a exhibition space. These displays have highlighted our rich cultural heritage to visitors and locals alike.”

  • Mcguire wrote: “ But what manner of mind therefore can conceive, rationalize or justify this wintry display in this tropical land? What is the purpose of this display? What positive can we learn from it? Was any consideration given to an alternative design with a local theme? - Poinsettias- red and white, parang, pastelles and sorrel? How much money was spent on this display? What was the local content of the spend on “snow” reindeer, Santas, polar bears, Frosty the snowman, mistletoe and holly? Can those in charge of the Airports Authority please provide some answers to the people of Trinidad and Tobago ? Perhaps it may be simpler to kindly remove this eyesore and replace it with something that represents our Christmas. Thank you.”

     

    Corporate Communications Manager of State-owned airline Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Dionne Ligoure said CAL had nothing to do with the decorations at the airport.

     

    She said: “ The decorations at the airport, fall under the purview of the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago , Caribbean Airlines is a tenant at the airport.” Other airlines said they were not consulted and they were not usually consulted regarding the decorations at the airport, she said.

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on Dec 03, 15