Carnival museum hosts cricket and calypso exhibition

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Museum (TTCM) hosted the launch of its latest exhibition, Cricket & Calypso: Legacies of Resistance Beyond the Boundary.

The immersive exhibition was developed by curator Yejide Cordner, assisted by educator and vocalist Krisson “Seraphim” Joseph and author Nasser Khan, a media release said.

The launch took place on July 3 at the museum, Charlotte Street, Port of Spain (formerly the “Penny Bank"/First Citizens).

"The exhibition explores the profound impact and deep relationship of calypso and cricket on West Indian culture and society. It uses the highly-charged imagery of Kalinda (the cricket bat as the bois), along with a wide variety of relevant informational displays to delve into the cultural, historical and social significance of these two iconic elements, cricket and calypso, tracking their partnership in defiance of colonial era subjugation and highlighting their roles in the ongoing quest for self-actualisation, both within and beyond the boundaries of play," the release said.

With the non-stop cricket that engages national and regional players, cricket is always on the sporting calendar, with the South Africa team due in the region as well as the CPL T20 tournament.

The exhibition will run through the coming months and will be used as a vehicle to educate and enlighten young people and the population at large, the release said.

The occasion included the launch of the Nagico Insurances and SPORTT-sponsored free e-book, History of West Indies Cricket through Calypsoes by Khan. This book’s first edition was published in 2016, sponsored by Nagico for free distribution to schools, libraries, archives, UWI, UTT and other deserving institutions and individuals. It features over 250 cricket-themed calypsoes in the e-book updated second edition.

Other collaborators for content and exhibits include the Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Kenny’s Sports Centre and Fulham Sports Club.

Attending the launch were Chief Justice Ivor Archie; Rosalind Gabriel, director, TTCM; Peter Corbie, TTCM’s operations manager; Japanese Ambassador Matsubara Yutaka and his wife; diplomats from the Chinese Embassy Zhou Congyu, first secretary and H Quanlin; Shirlaine Hendrickson of TUCO; representatives of the Ministry of Sport and Community Development; the TT Cricket Board; Nagico reps, and other guests.

Calypsonian Crazy entertained with cricket calypsoes.

The release said the TTCM, an NGO, is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history and vibrant traditions of Carnival.

For more info:738-8948, e-mail Operations@ttcarnivalmuseum.com or visit www.ttcarnivalmuseum.com.