Trinidad Carnival is love | Backstory
This year’s Trinidad Carnival season is once again a time of uncertainty, thanks to the ongoing pandemic. But while lovers of the festival dream of spectacular Carnivals to come, they also cherish memories of Carnivals past. Janine Mendes-Franco, Mark Lyndersay, Laura Dowrich, and Caroline Taylor share their treasured Carnival memories in this year’s instalment of “Carnival is love”
Tania León: “My music has an accent” | Backstory
The sonic world of composer Tania Léon was shaped by her childhood in Cuba — and by her willingness to reinvent herself, writes Caroline Taylor
Ana de Armas — chasing the dream | Snapshot
Cuban actress Ana de Armas may seem like an overnight success, but behind her rise to stardom are fifteen years of hard work, starting at Havana’s famous theatre school. Caroline Taylor says her biggest successes are still to come
Naomi Osaka: a Haitian-Japanese star on the rise | Snapshot
For anyone who likes easy answers to questions of identity, Naomi Osaka is a conundrum: half-Haitian, half-Japanese, raised for part of her childhood in New York City, visibly hybrid. As Caroline Taylor learns, Osaka hasn’t always been comfortable with the role of mixed-race role model — but she’s learning to embrace it, on her own terms
Letitia Wright | Backstory
Growing up in Guyana, Letitia Wright never imagined a Hollywood career. But after a string of stage and TV roles and early recognition of her talent, her casting in the blockbuster movie Black Panther was the break every actor hopes for, says Caroline Taylor
Jeanine De Bique: “It doesn’t matter where you come from” | Own words
Jeanine De Bique, Trinidad-born classical singer, on the influence of her upbringing, and why Trinis “could do anything” — as told to Caroline Taylor
Winston Duke: “I’m unfinished” | Own words
Tobago-born actor Winston Duke, appearing in the eagerly awaited Black Panther movie, on his love of stories and magical realism, how his village childhood shaped his ethos, and his love of soca music — as told to Caroline Taylor
Word of mouth (July/August 2017)
Long days by the beach Suzanne Bhagan remembes the lazy charms of “August holidays” in Mayaro Mayaro Beach: a swathe of brown sand...
