tidings
Janelle De Souza
Grants for unsponsored steelbands and shipments to steelband players are back for Panorama 2023.
A release from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts on Saturday said Cabinet approved a remittance of $500 per steel player for Panorama 2023, for a maximum of 6,283 players costing the government approximately $3,141,500. In previous years, players were awarded a $1,000 stipend each.
To qualify, players must be a TT citizen, a holder of a national ID card or other legal identifier, a registered player with a suitable steelband and perform with a band up to the Panorama preliminary round.
Grants total $15,000 for conventional gangs and $7,500 for single gangs. They would be made available to 94 Conventional Bands and 59 Single Pan Bands, valued at $1,852,500.
“These measures have been taken in recognition of the important role that the steel belts and the steel belt movement play in the cultural and social fabric and development here in TT, as well as the financial difficulties faced by individuals and organizations in the steel movement as a result. and the covid19 pandemic.
“These measures are intended to capitalize on the opportunities for human and social development, and to create the community pride and ownership that are available through greater participation in the Steelband movement and the structure and discipline it provides in its yards during the Carnival season. . and throughout the year.”
Speaking to Sunday Newsday at the Small Conventional Panorama semi-finals on Saturday in Victoria Square, Port of Spain, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said she is excited about the ministry’s decision and she knows the bands and their players are happy about that. .
“Pan is a lot of really hard work. It’s all about giving your time and talent in service to the community. Think how these young people are so dedicated to practice and put in long hours, keeping them off the streets… Returning remittances is really rewarding. I know it will go a long way.”
She believes the remittance, which was originally $1,000, was withheld in 2018 because the government wanted PanTrinbago to “make up its own mind.” Now that it has been reinstated and the organization is in the process of “repairing the damaged brand,” she said PanTrinbago will negotiate with the government to hopefully get the remittance back to $1,000.
Ramsey-Moore said Pan Trinbago members are ready to take the organization to the next level where there can be financial and social prosperity as well as holistic development at the level.
So she is happy about the support that Pan Trinbago has received from the government and TT Corporation.
“We are very concerned about what is happening in our communities. So for 2023 and beyond, we’re going to do a lot more. We want to use the steel drum for peace in communities. We have our work cut out for us, but we are up to the task.”
In addition, Ramsey-Moore praised the high energy and excellent playing of the bands on Saturday.
“When you think about the number of new players and organizers, I’m very happy with what I’m seeing so far. As a result, we have made a decision to have 16 groups instead of 14 in the final because the performance and standard is so high.” The final takes place on January 14, Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah.
While there will be an increase in the number of groups in the conventional small finals, the number of groups advancing to the finals in the large and medium categories will remain at 12.
