Millette, who is well known for his researches on the history and culture of his country and the region, is visiting Cuba as guest for the Colloquium “El Caribe que nos une” (the Caribbean that links us), one of the proposals of the 31st Festival of the Caribbean, also known as the Fire Feast.

The author of “El sistema colonial ingles en Trinidad (1783-1810)”, speaking of the importance this meeting has gained for the participant nations, told ACN that these celebrations “is a gathering point for the cultures of the region to reflect their customs, idiosyncrasy and traditions”.

“I hope Cuba will carry on with this task; it is undeniable the ignificance of having this opportunity, when in many places in the world autochthonous practices have given way to foreign cultural products, forgetting about who they are and where they should be headed to”, said the intellectual.

On the multicultural nature of his country, Millette (78) noted that the most popular manifestations are based on music, specifically in Calypso and Steel Band, a product of Afro-descendants; although Hindu and Muslim, along with other ethnic groups music and dances, are also part of their culture.

“A unique and autochthonous culture emerged from these different styles, the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, even though we respect and watch for constructive coexistence among them. That’s why, it is said that mine is a multicultural nation”, he explained.

“The same applies for the Caribbean, where there is a great cultural diversity. For three decades, this Festival in Santiago de Cuba province has succeeded in bringing together and representing properly these cultures, which is very important and necessary”

Millette extolled Cuba for keeping alive Caribbean art manifestations, which are only possible to appreciate here, as for example, the ribbon dance, performed by a group from Baragua in Ciego de Avila province.

As to the traditional Fire Feast, he stated that Santiago de Cuba has become a very competitive space, which is “a good sign due to the carnival, musical, and organizational tradition of this kind of festivals”.