Dimanche Gras in jeopardy while Marie Antoinette and her jesters wine…
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Calypso Organisation (TUCO) Friday said it was backing the stance taken by calypsonians to boycott the Calypso Monarch finals on Sunday if there is not an increase in the prize monies.
“The position that they took here this morning really and truly is an independent position. I don’t know where they are going or how far they are prepared to go with it, but the organisation stands behind them 100 per cent,” said TUCO president Lutalo Masimba.
Last year, the government allocated two million dollars (US$333,000) for the first prize in the competition. But the organisers said that the prize this year has been reduced significantly and are appealing to the private sector to make a much more meaningful contribution to the art form.
He said that 100 years after the first calypso song was recorded and with the country observing its 50thanniversary of political independence from Britain, there is still problems regarding the full recognition of the calypso art form here.
He said while the corporate community supports culture, “their focus is on the party music…but we continue to push forward and try to get sponsors on board.
“It is not a question of begging the government to increase the prize money, it is a question of appealing to Trinidad and Tobago on a whole. If there are corporate citizens who want to come on board to ensure that we have a nice Carnival on Sunday night, they are most welcome,” he added.
He said it is important for the national community “understanding the importance of what we do and underlining that with active support and not just mouth”.
At least five former winners are included in the 12 finalists for the show on Sunday, where the controversial policies of the People’s Partnership government, have been heavily criticised by the singers. Among the finalists are Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro), Dr. Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust), Kurt Allen, Sandra Des Vignes (Singing Sandra); Michael Osuna (Sugar Aloes) and the defending monarch Karen Asche.
