Panorama changes get general support
After the announcement by Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore of sweeping changes to the Panorama schedule for 2020, a number of stakeholders support the move, while others have expressed concern.
The changes include the single pan competition being held in November, the small band category in December/January, and the medium band final in Tobago so only large bands will compete on Carnival Saturday.
Contacted about the changes, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, said on Wednesday evening: “I have not been officially informed of this as a final position and therefore can make no comment on it.”
Told of the minister’s position on Thursday, Ramsey-Moore said: “She is right. A meeting was scheduled for this afternoon at 4 pm but it was cancelled due to the minister’s own schedule surrounding the state visit by Ghanaian president (Nana Akufo-Addo). So we await the rescheduled meeting from the ministry. Hopefully it will be early next week.”
As far as National Carnival Commission (NCC) CEO Colin Lucas is concerned, Pan Trinbago is the body entrusted with the development of pan and he feels the current leadership is just doing different things to expose pan to the wider world.
“Once the changes are viable, NCC will support the process with budgetary prescriptions,” said Lucas.
Nadine Stewart-Phillips, Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation at the Tobago House of Assembly, said: “Hosting the national medium band Panorama finals in Tobago will present many lucrative opportunities for our island and create strategic linkages for those in the local pan fraternity. In fact, I consider this a very timely move as we continue in our rebranding efforts to position Tobago as the ideal destination to host premier cultural activities.
“Also, having a national competition being held in Tobago will give the Tobago pan enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the Panorama euphoria first-hand.”
She also said Tobago bands have been continuously doing well in the competitions and with this introduction, they will now have the opportunity to compete nationally on home soil. Also, said Stewart-Phillip, it will present several benefits for the island’s private and public sector.
“This opportunity has the ability to positively affect our tourism and hospitality sector as a result of the numerous visitors, players and supporters who usually attend the event.”
By Joan Rampersad
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspapers
