Two Carnival events receive $50,000 cash injection

The Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) has received $50,000 in sponsorship from Republic Bank Ltd. for two Vincymas events- Steel and Glitter and the Junior Panorama.

Marketing and Development Officer at the CDC, Esworth ‘Essie’ Roberts said partnerships with the business community are vital to keep cultural shows alive in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

His comments were made during the cheque handover on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

“It’s interesting that Republic Bank has chosen two cultural events, both including steel pan. Steel pan is an important instrument to us in the Caribbean and I’m impressed they have chosen these two events. I also noted the interest in sponsoring a senior event and a junior event because it is extremely important that we continue to support the youth involved in various aspects of our culture if we want to ensure longevity and survival of Carnival.”

Roberts noted the trend of the public leaning towards events rather than cultural shows and said it is happening not only in SVG but also across the Caribbean.

“The challenge I mentioned before about persons gravitating towards parties, as opposed to cultural shows is not something unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is a trend throughout the region and we rely on the business sector to help us to support and continue to nurture these cultural events,” Roberts noted.

President of the Youlou Pan Movement, Rodney Small, thanked Republic Bank Ltd for the support. He said the local pan fraternity has been working to overcome challenges in the country and are seeing the fruits of their hard work.

“We have been struggling for quite a while as a fraternity here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Not just struggling, but also fighting for acceptance and awareness and for persons to respect the art form. We

are moving from a place where we had just three steel orchestras in competition, and now we are at a place where we have 14 junior steel orchestras and just about nine senior orchestras. It is showing growth,” he said.

The sponsorship breakdown for the events is EC$35,000 toward Steel and Glitter, and EC$15,000 toward Junior Panorama.

Junior Panorama takes place this Sunday, June 30, 2024, and Steel & Glitter is scheduled for Thursday, July 4, 2024. Both events will take place at Victoria Park. In 2023, Starlift Steel Orchestra took home both the Junior and Senior Panorama titles.