Sunday, September 23 2012

He may have won only one “King of Carnival” title with his portrayal “The Might of Rome” from the band Trini Revellers in 2006, but Geraldo Viera Sr, was a true masquerader and mas craftsman.

Yesterday, the local Mas fraternity mourned the passing of this pioneer, who spent his life projecting TT’s Carnival and its mas.

Up until the time of his recent death in the United States, Viera was an executive member of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA), and the representative for the “King” category of entrants.

Viera’s work with Mas spanned over 50 years, after producing “Fruits and Flowers” in 1959 with popular mas designer “Cito” Velasquez (deceased). Viera went on to work in every imaginable area of expertise within the sphere of Carnival masquerade.

In a release yesterday, the Ministry of the Arts and Multi-culturalism said it was “deeply saddened by the recent passing of Geraldo Viera Sr, former King of Carnival, masquerader and mas’ craftsman.”

The ministry said the collective memory will always celebrate Vieira’s production skills and direct input into innumerable kings and queens of grandeur to have crossed the festival stage locally and internationally.

Minister of the Arts and Multi-culturalism, Dr Lincoln Douglas, extended deepest sympathies to his son, Geraldo Viera Jr (himself a distinguished mas designer), his family and close relatives during this time of mourning.

“We believe sincerely that the Carnival fraternity and the country as a whole have lost an authentic and committed artist,” the ministry stated.