Festivals Minister Daryl Matthew
Festivals Minister Daryl Matthew has confirmed that the Independence Calypso competition will be restored to Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural lineup.
Matthew explained that bringing back the competition aims to foster national pride and positive sentiment among citizens.
The minister emphasized that this period presents an opportunity for people to feel uplifted about their country. He expressed hopes that artists will create music that instils pride in being Antiguan and Barbudan, suggesting it’s an ideal moment to set aside political divisions and embrace patriotic unity.
Matthew made these remarks during Wednesday’s awards ceremony for the recent Carnival celebrations. He indicated that the Calypso committee will oversee the competition’s organization and extended an invitation for calypsonians to take part.
The competition hasn’t been held since 2020, when it was conducted virtually due to pandemic restrictions. That year’s champion was Leston ‘King Young Destroyer’ Jacobs, who claimed the Independence Calypso Monarch title with his song ‘All Hands on Deck.’ The competition saw Peetron Thomas secure the first runner-up position with ‘Paradise,’ while Glenroy ‘Epic Byke’ Joseph earned second runner-up for his performance of ‘National Pride.’
Bringing back the Independence Calypso competition is a great move by the honorable minister DarylMatthew .
Good initiative. I always wondered why we stopped
I not sure how much relevance this is though. That alone wont foster national pride
Long overdue! Calypso is the heartbeat of our culture, glad to see it back for Independence
Hoping the younger generation gets involved so the tradition stays alive.
The last time this competition was a regular part of the Independence celebrations was years ago. The revival offers a great opportunity for a new generation of calypsonians to shine. I’m excited to see how young artists will interpret the meaning of independence in their music. This could be a vital incubator for talent and a chance to inject fresh energy into our calypso scene.