A Nation’s House, A People’s Journey: 150 Years of The President’s House and 50 Years of the Presidency
In 2026, Trinidad and Tobago commemorates a historic convergence of milestones—the 150th...
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Full Toast by Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at the launch of the exhibition installation, '50 Years, One Republic, Moments that Shaped a Nation.' ![]()
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:![]()
We gather this evening at the meeting point of two important anniversaries: fifty years of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and one hundred and fifty years of President's House.![]()
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The achievement of Republican status was more than a constitutional change. It was the final step in our journey to full national autonomy: the moment when we assumed, without qualification, responsibility for the ordering of our common life and for the destiny of our nation.![]()
This House tells something of that journey. Built as an imposing symbol of colonial authority, it now belongs to the people of a sovereign Republic. Its significance today lies not in its grandeur, but in its openness—not in the distance it once placed between authority and its subjects, but in the welcome it now extends to every citizen.![]()
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That transformation reminds us of an essential principle of republican life: our national institutions are held in trust for the people as a whole. Every citizen must have a place at the national table; and no citizen should be made, by words or by actions, to feel that he or she stands outside the embrace of the Republic.![]()
This is why commemoration matters. It calls us away from the urgency of the present and invites us to pause: to remember honestly, to reflect deeply, and to learn. A nation that understands its history is better able to value what has brought its people together, to recognise what has too often kept them apart, and to choose unity with greater wisdom and purpose.![]()
To cherish the Republic is also to cherish the symbols through which it speaks—including the steelpan. And may I just say that our regard for the national instrument must be reflected not only in the honours we accord it, but also in the respect we extend to those who play it, especially the young hands that carry its music forward.![]()
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The company gathered here reflects the breadth of our Republic: those who serve, and those who have served, in public life; the families of those who have held the highest office; leaders in defence, Parliament, public administration and private enterprise; historians who preserve our national memory; community organizations; and the artists and the artistes who give expression to our nation's soul.![]()
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You come from different generations, professions, communities, cultures and faiths. Yet you are joined by something greater than those differences: a commitment to Trinidad and Tobago. In that commitment, we see the Republic at its best: not office, but service; not privilege, but duty; not sameness, but a shared belonging.![]()
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Our diversity asks more of us than coexistence. It asks that we recognise in one another an equal claim upon the institutions, opportunities and protections of our Republic. And, as we mark fifty years, it asks us to continue the hard work of building a Republic that keeps a place at its table for all its children—a Republic in which our differences serve not to undermine, but only to affirm the strength of our common belonging.![]()
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Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to raise your glasses:![]()
• To fifty years of our Republic;![]()
• To one hundred and fifty years of President's House;![]()
• And to the people of Trinidad and Tobago—many in our origins, one in our belonging, and united in the duty of building what comes next.![]()
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To the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.![]()
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End of Toast ![]()
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Note: The installation traces defining constitutional milestones and pivotal moments in the evolution of the Presidency over the past five decades, while also exploring the rich architectural, historical and national significance of President's House over its 150 year history.
President launches commemorative exhibition installation marking 50 years of the Presidency ![]()
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Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, hosted a Cocktail Reception on Friday July 24, 2026 to officially launch the exhibition installation, 50 Years, One Republic, Moments that Shaped a Nation, at President’s House. The installation traces defining constitutional milestones and pivotal moments in the evolution of the Presidency.![]()
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Guests included the Diplomatic Corps, current and former government and state office holders, families of former Presidents, the business community, media, cultural organisations and civil society.![]()
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Reflecting on the nation’s journey, President Kangaloo described the achievement of Republican status as “the final step in our journey to full national autonomy” and underscored the responsibility to ensure that every citizen has an equal place within the institutions and opportunities of the Republic. Her Excellency concluded with a toast,![]()
“To fifty years of our Republic; to one hundred and fifty years of President’s House; and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago—many in our origins, one in our belonging, and united in the duty of building what comes next. To the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”![]()
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The exhibition installation forms part of the President’s House Heritage Tour and Exhibition, August 17–28, 2026.![]()
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#officeofthepresidenttt #PresidentKangaloo #TrinidadAndTobago #Republic50 #PresidentsHouse150 #ANationsHouseAPeoplesJourney #PresidentsHouseHeritageTour
Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, extend their heartfelt thanks to all whose generosity, passion and dedication helped make The President's Pan Camp 2026 another outstanding success.![]()
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Special appreciation is extended to the Camp's Technical Committee—Mr. Ainsworth Mohammed, Mr. Michael Dinchong, Mr. Colin Greaves, Mr. Junia Regrello, Mr. Amrit Samaroo, Mr. Clarence Morris, Mrs. Michelle Huggins-Watts, Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin, Mr. Emmanuel Joseph, Mr. Shaquille Vincent and Mrs. Elizabeth Namsoo-Dinchong.![]()
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A special thank you to our featured pannists—Dajean Cain, Akini Gill, Emmanuel Joseph, Obadele Allick, Keisha Codrington and Natasha Joseph—for inspiring our campers through their remarkable musicianship and their personal stories of perseverance, discipline and excellence.![]()
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Our sincere appreciation also goes to Farmer Nappy (Darryl Henry), whose song How Ah Livin' united the 2026 cohort throughout the week, and whose presence helped launch this year's Camp.![]()
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To our mentors—Derron Sandy, Mical "Teja" Williams, Nailah Blackman, Ana-Leesa Ramnarine (DJ Ana) and Veera Bhajan—thank you for bringing wisdom that encouraged our campers to grow as musicians and as young people.![]()
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The President's Pan Camp 2026 was made possible through the generosity of everyone who shared their time, expertise and talent. Thank you!🎼
🎼✨ The President's Pan Camp 2026 comes to a close.![]()
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Six days. Twenty-six young campers. Countless lessons in music, mentorship, teamwork and self-belief.![]()
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On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, hosted the closing ceremony of the third consecutive President's Pan Camp at The President's House.![]()
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The ceremony featured reflections from the campers themselves through poetry and personal testimony, an overview of the Camp by Mrs. Michelle Huggins-Watts of the Technical Committee and the highlight of the evening, a showcase performance by the 2026 Pan Campers of How Ah Livin' by Farmer Nappy. ![]()
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Remarks were delivered by Dr. the Honourable Michael Dowlath, MP, Minister of Education, while the feature address was delivered by His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The afternoon concluded with a special performance by Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra.![]()
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Now in its third consecutive year, The President's Pan Camp continues to demonstrate the transformative power of the panyard model, using the steelpan not only to develop musical ability, but also to foster discipline, confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging among young people.![]()
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📸 See the full journey of The President's Pan Camp 2026: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCZ7dh
Today, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, The Right Honourable Jerrymon Samuel Manwe, High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, during a Presentation of Credentials ceremony at The President's House.![]()
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Also present were Mr. Martin Nworie Eze, Deputy Head of Mission, and Mrs. Angye Dankaro, Minister Counsellor at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who witnessed the ceremony.![]()
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The Presentation of Credentials is a longstanding diplomatic tradition that formally marks the beginning of a Head of Mission's accreditation. The ceremony includes the signing of the Visitors' Book, the presentation of Letters of Credence, the exchange of official gifts, and discussions on matters of mutual interest before concluding with the ceremonial departure of the High Commissioner, escorted by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Mounted Branch.