World Steelpan Festival begins

The World Steelpan Festival begins today with the Art Exhibition Series, which runs until August 11.

The festival, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in partnership with Pan Trinbago, is one of several events being held for Pan Month in August.

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore is excited for the festival and the start of Pan Month 2024.

In a phone interview, she said, “It is really an exciting moment for us in TT and, by extension, the entire steelpan diaspora.”

She said the recognition of pan as the national instrument could not come at a better time.

Pan was unofficially recognised as the national instrument when former Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared it as such. However, the necessary legislative steps had not been taken to address this.

This National Musical Instrument Bill was laid in June and passed in both the lower and upper houses, establishing pan as the national instrument.

The organisation was looking forward to massive celebrations as the month moves along, she added. Many of its events draw thousands of people to them, like the Pan and Powder parade through Port of Spain.

The month’s activities will also celebrate the “pan-cestors” – those who paved the way for what exists today, she said.

The country will also celebrate World Steelpan Day (August 11) for a second year. The UN-declared day augurs well not only for the fraternity but also for the country’s tourism product, Ramsey-Moore said.

“It also augurs well for our several communities here in TT,” Ramsey-Moore said.

A major feature of the festival is the World Steelpan Conference being held on August 9 at Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, which is expected to bring global pan enthusiasts together.

This, she believes, will help further the organisation's plans for greater globalisation of the instrument.

Asked if the UN declaration has led to more global interest, Ramsey-Moore said, “What we have recognised is that the stakeholders are all onboard at this time.”

She said the line ministry – Tourism, Culture and the Arts – the Ministry of Trade and Industry, through its steering committee established to take an in-depth look at the manufacturing sector, and the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs were all playing important roles in pan’s further growth, development and globalisation.

She said one of the conversations scheduled to take place at the conference is on cultural diplomacy.

“We have people from Foreign Affairs who will be sitting on that committee. We also have the discussion already with Foreign Affairs with having missions have, at least, an ensemble within their space so that even when bands travel, we don’t have to take the instruments up with us.

“We already have instruments there that can be used in terms of the promotion and marketing of our national musical instrument.”

The body also believes there will be financial gains from pan’s growing acceptance and promotion.

She said the organisation had cleaned up its financial image and was now also working with its member bands so that “they, too, can align themselves with that accountability and transparency.”

Asked if the public can look forward to special announcements during the month or festival, Ramsey-Moore said yes and that there would be plenty. She did not reveal what they would be.

“At this time, we really want to commend our Government and all the agencies that have that renewed trust and confidence in the leadership. Definitely there will be some plans that unfold in the month of August,” she said.

She added that it looked forward to support from the public for all of its events.

Death of Franka Hills-Headley

The pan community lost a member on August 1: president and founder of San Fernando band Golden Hands, Franka Patricia Gillian Hills-Headley.

Ramsey-Moore said the organisation was shocked at her passing, but would honour her legacy and work.

“Franka’s work on earth was one that we will always remember: the role that she played with Golden Hands and the young people in the San Fernando community.”

She said Pan Trinbago will do its best to honour her work and would be there for her family and Golden Hands.

World Steelpan Festival schedule:

August 5-10: Art Exhibition Series – Castle Killarney (Stollmeyer’s), Art Society of TT and Rotunda Art Gallery, Red House.

August 9: World Steelpan Conference, Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain (by invitation only)

August 10: Panyard Jams

North region: Desperadoes Steel Orchestra (Host) along with Nutrien Silver Stars, Phase II Pan Groove and Stardust.

East Region: Arima Angel Harps (Host) along with Sangre Grande Cordettes, Curepe Scherzando and Alumknights.

South/Central region: Skiffle Steel Orchestra (host) along with NLCB Fonclaire, NGC Couva Joylanders and New Age Trendsetters.

Legacies and Legends: National Steel Symphony Orchestra of TT Concert, 6-9.30 pm, National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain

August 11: World Steelpan Day celebrations, Port of Spain.