The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) hosted its Prize-Giving Ceremony on Wednesday at Lifestyle Motors in El Socorro to celebrate the winners of the 2025 National Calypso Monarch competition.
Speaking at the event, TUCO President Ainsley King credited the organisation’s Carnival 2025 success to a cultural diplomacy mission in 2024, which aimed to promote calypso internationally.
“We were able to draw interest and attraction to our calypso product in a way like never seen before. In 2025, what we did, we embarked on a cultural diplomacy project in the United States, which turned out to be very successful. Coming out of that, we saw an increase in attendance to our events for 2025.”
He noted that attendance at both Kaiso Fiesta and Dimanche Gras surpassed previous records.
Mr. King also highlighted TUCO’s three-year partnership with Lifestyle Motors, crediting the company for its continued support of the culture. Looking ahead to 2026, the TUCO President expressed optimism.
“We also want to put our focus on the fact that we have a new government here in Trinidad and Tobago and we do look forward for the right kind of relationship as we move into 2026 aiming at producing one of the greatest Carnivals that we could produce, as a working team, working together in the best interests of the development of this artform of calypso.”
Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, assured that the partnership between TUCO and her Ministry would be strengthened and commended calypsonians on their contributions to the culture. She also reflected on the Ministry’s aspirations for the future.
“For my Ministry, I want to say that 2026 is going to be, as rightfully said by Mr. King, bigger and better. I know my greetings here has to be brief but what I want to say to the artistes that is standing here before me, to the listening public, 2026 is going to be a partnership of the industry and is going to be a global collaboration where persons will be further invited to our shores to make the greatest show on earth even better.”
Helon Francis and Akhenaton Lewis, better known as ‘Yung Bredda’, were present to receive their awards.
Francis drove off with a brand-new KGM Torres SUV.