This picture shows the city of San Fernando, Trinidad. What strikes me in the picture is San Fernando hill, the large hill in the middle, this is the symbol of San Fernando. Usually, buildings or architecture is used to represent cities, for example the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but in this case a natural feature, a hill, symbolizes the city of San Fernando. I ask myself, does this affect culture in the city? My own experience in the city recalls various cultural symbols being displayed on the hill, for example, at Christmas time a star, at Divali time a deya, at Eid-ul-fitr time a Moon and star and at Easter time a Cross. Also, every year on our Independence Day communities gather and look up at the hill patiently awaiting the display of fireworks. These are memories I cherish all based on the San Fernando hill. Therefore, from my own experiences I can say that the San Fernando hill is a cultural symbol of the city and has an effect on the culture in the city. I can only imagine the experiences of those who live in the city...
The city of San Fernando can be identified by the San Fernando hill. The hill creates both organic and manufactures cultures (Hall, 2011). Organic cultures, where the local people develop a sense for pride and look to the hill as a representation of themselves. Manufactured cultures, where the state assists in the cultural influence of the hill by using it as a landmark to display cultural symbols and fireworks on Independence Day.
The link below shows an article from a local newspaper about "quarrying" at the San Fernando hill. This is a serious issue, however what was most significant about this article to me was the comments. Citizens expressing their true feelings about the hill. This gives some insight on the cultural aspect the hill instils in the people.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Sando_Hill__carted_off-122921953.html
