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Local artistes were well received in Region Two
Dear Editor,
On Tuesday evening, the Regional Administration Region 2 hosted a Calypso and Chutney Competition as part of its many activities in commemorating the country’s 48th Republic Anniversary. This genre of music had seemingly lost its connection with Essequibians, and in particular, the Calypso genre.
It was the genuine intention by the Administration, therefore, to revive and sustain such cultures, beginning with the presentation of local artistes.
As I stood that evening and witnessed the musical rendition, six from each genre, it dawned on me that both were alive and well in the Region. The appreciable crowd, too, was impressed with the display, given that a Calypso competition was not held in the Region for almost eight years.
All the artistes were impressive, including a student from the Abram Zuil Secondary School, who competed against much older performers. The representation for the Calypso competition was also diverse, as I was thrilled by the performing artistes emanating from the Amerindian communities.
It was indeed quite an absorbing evening, with the artistes captivating the hearts of the audience – in particular, the winners of both categories. The Mighty Voltage, who won the calypso crown, hadn’t sung competitively for almost thirteen years, yet he didn’t lose any power in delivering quite a witty and stirring rendition that illuminated the cool evening skies. His lyrics were relevant to current affairs as he appealed for racial equality, political unity and a quest for social and economic security.
The Chutney Queen’s spicy rendition also had the crowd absorbing every moment. They all sang in Hindi. This was especially a proud moment for the Administration, given that it is a diverse community. The audience appreciated and applauded every lyric that pierced the air, including the Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Roopkumar Persaud and the Mash Committee, who tirelessly and instrumentally were responsible for creating the huge success that was achieved that evening.
The concept of social cohesion manifested itself and the pleasing sight at that occasion will linger on for a long time to come. It is my fervent hope that this will be the beginning of a much grander cultural explosion that will consistently reign in Region 2. I also commend the audience for grasping the opportunity to witness a rich evening of local talent and lasting memories.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
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