Luckys applaud Patrick Manning’s vision for pan on world stage

CELEBRATIONS abound in Trinidad and Tobago and among the diaspora in recognition of the historic United Nations declaration of August 11 as World Steelpan Day.

Rejoicing and reminiscing on the elevation of TT’s indigenous instrument on a global stage are Justice Anthony Lucky and his wife, Cintra.

The Luckys are taking a bit of credit for its evolution and are also lauding the vision of the late Prime Minister Patrick Manning for its affirmed presence on the world stage.

The Luckys recall that in 2004, a pan was gifted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, Germany, which is still on display for the world to see.

It coincided with the appointment of Lucky as one of two judges on the tribunal between 2002-2020. The other was Justice Lennox Ballah.

ITLOS is an independent judicial body established by the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and comprises of 21 judges elected by the States parties to the convention.

TT is a States party to the convention, and Cintra, in an interview with Newsday, recalled that on a visit to the tribunal, she thought a gift from TT would be most appropriate and considered a pan to be most fitting.

“I thought that the steel pan would be seen, and its rich history and tourist attraction would be marketed through the global village which hosts an annual open day when over 4,000 people both nationally and internationally visit the International Tribunal.

The idea having been born and nurtured was on the agenda during a courtesy call to then prime minister Patrick Manning who embraced the idea.

“Mr Manning immediately and without hesitation suggested that the steelpan be the gift and that our country should be included among others on the international scene where such cosmopolitan visitors to the International Tribunal can familiarise themselves with our national instrument.”

Together with the then foreign affairs minister, Knowlson Gift, culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams, and Patrick Edwards, then permanent secretary, the gift was organised and taken to Germany by the Luckys in March 2004.

Accompanied by a plaque, the pan was presented during a formal ceremony held in the rotunda of the tribunal, where the red, white, and black national flag of TT was resplendently draped over it.

The accompanying plaque read: The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago donated the steel pan to the Tribunal on 30 March 2004. The steel pan is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago; invented in the 1940s in Laventille, Trinidad. Pans are usually made from 55-gallon oil drums which are skilfully hammered and carefully turned to produce a variety of tones.

On the request of Manning, Cintra, a teacher at Presentation College, San Fernando, at the time, gave a comprehensive history of the origins and evolution of the pan.

She emphasised its versatility and the range of music from classical to other genres, fusing, creating and harmoniously promoting togetherness through music.

She remembered many of the judges and their guests trying their hand at playing pan and asking questions and commenting on the short history lesson.

Nineteen years later, the Lucky’s applauded the vision of the late Manning which they assert assisted with the promotion of the pan on the world stage today.

“We feel a sense of pride, joy and satisfaction that our steelpan is now for global viewings at the prestigious UN institution as the ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany.

“It is positioned among donations/gifts from other international countries, affording curiosity and imparting knowledge to so many who hadn’t known much about the steelpan and who are now learning to play pan.”

The Luckys lauded the determination and confidence of the ancestors in the struggles to keep their musical culture despite opposition, oppression ridicule and severe punishment.

“The work and struggles of the pioneers of early pan music is not merely being acknowledged but vigorously promoted.”

Anthony noted, “A part of us as individuals, as well as, our beloved country stands in the rotunda at ITLOS as testimony of Trinbago’s indisputable rich historic ancestry and colourful, cultural tapestry.

“Whenever I leave to return home, I am sad to say 'goodbye' to the exhibit because it is an integral part of a Trini. So, I speak to it of my optimistic return to the rotunda.

“Speaking and sharing information and promoting our country’s and the Caribbean peoples and culture are always uppermost in our programme as we travel to any international destination.

“My natural love for steelpan music and its irresistible infectious call to “dance with the pan”

“Congratulations and appreciation to all who persevered and succeeded in having the United Nations declare National Steelpan Day –August 1, 2023.

“Tin and steel on the stage,

"Come on World enjoy their Age.”