Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, says preparations for next year’s Carnival season are underway.
This, as she spoke at the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation’s launch of Calypso History Month, which kicked off with a thanksgiving service on Wednesday.
Minister Benjamin commended TUCO for representing the nation’s calypso artistes.
“Gathering here, I could tell you this is a call of action. Myself and the CEO, we will be discussing the upcoming Carnival season. As the Minister of Culture and Community Development, I wish to commend TUCO, I know you said show love, and in each organisation there is always some internal politics, some fighting, but you have not let that dawn on your representation of flying the flag high.”
TUCO President Ainsley King said the organisation is there to serve the local calypso community.
“I am saying that this is a good start and this is because of Kaiso History Month so we start off good. I am hoping that we could maintain this with understanding because we want a successful Kaiso History Month. And I must say that with all TUCO’s initiatives, Calypso History Month has proven itself to be one of the most successful of them all.”
He noted that the commemoration of Calypso History Month has spread to the diaspora.
“We started Kaiso History Month and now, privately right in Trinidad and Tobago here, they don’t wait on us, people are putting their programmes together for the month. And when that happens, it tells you that you have succeeded in a big way.”
The theme of TUCO’s 2025 celebrations is “Calypso Unleashed – Boundless Harmonies.”