President Christine Kangaloo is urging both the private sector and the Government to move beyond seasonal pan sponsorships and invest in year-round facilities and programmes for young and emerging pannists.
Speaking at the launch of the President’s Pan Camp on Monday, she called for sustained support for the national instrument extending beyond the Carnival season.
She emphasised the need for year-round community infrastructure, training opportunities, and development programmes that will nurture the next generation of young pan players.
“The time is long overdue for both sectors to commit substantial resources to save facilities, trained mentors, reliable transport, instruments, child protection systems, apprenticeships, technology and pathways into employment and business.”
President Kangaloo stressed that these investments will expose pan players to employment opportunities within the sector while sustaining the nation’s heritage for future generations.
“As a micro economy, it supports work in areas such as textile and costume design, recording, performance, tourism, food and hospitality. It can turn native intuition and resources that lie dormant into skill, enterprise and livelihood.”
Now in its third year, the six-day programme will offer 26 young people, ages 12 to 17, the opportunity to learn music, explore the history of the steelpan, and understand the role of the pan yard in social development.