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Stage set for epic kaiso battle on Friday

Four former monarchs to rock Botanical after the competition 

As the crescendo of Crop Over’s golden anniversary reaches its kaiso zenith, the stage is set for this year’s highly-anticipated Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Final.

The island’s premier calypso showdown promises electrifying performances and fierce rivalry as 17 contenders vie to dethrone reigning monarch Ian iWeb Webster when the competition comes off this Friday, August 2, at the National Botanical Gardens

For months, Barbados’ top calypsonians have been perfecting their craft, preparing for this moment. They have delivered standout performances during the season, presenting well-crafted songs that resonate with powerful messages, sharp humour and poignant observations. However, the journey to calypso supremacy will be no easy feat, as iWeb is expected to vigorously fight to retain the coveted crown and the finalists.

The finalists comprise a mix of past Pic-O-De-Crop monarchs in Kid Site and AC, four former Junior Monarch winners namely Sir Ruel, Sammy G, Grateful Co (formerly Coco) and Tae; first timers including the first visually impaired person Mr. Deejay and Trinity; as well as perennial finalists. 

The order of appearance is as follow: 

The finalists include past Pic-O-De-Crop monarchs Kid Site and AC; former Junior Monarch winners Sir Ruel, Sammy G, Grateful Co (formerly Coco), and Tae, first-time participants the first visual impaired contender Mr. Deejay along with Trinity, and perennial finalists. The order of appearance is as follows:

1. Granville Mr. Deejay Carter

2. David Kid Site Piggott

3. Samantha Sammy G Greaves 

4. Chrystal Cummins-Beckles-Holder

5. Colin Spencer 

6. Chad Sir Ruel Bowen

7. Darin Holder 

8. Eric Lewis 

9. Sammy Sammy Dello Odle

10. Rico Grateful Co Gaskin

11. John Yarde

12. Paul Billboard Murrell

13. Trinity Trinity Clarke

14. Shontae Tae Alleyne-Clarke

15. Ian iWeb Webster

16. Adrian AC Clarke

17. Shondell Imara Jahbari

18. Geoffrey Biggie Irie Cordle

Former monarch Dequon Quon Alleyne is the reserve.

Apart from the line-up, at the end of the competition patrons will be treated to a trip down memory lane by four former monarchs. 

While the results are being tabulated, songs of Pic O De Crop past will be performed by: The Most Honourable Anthony Gabby Carter, who won in 1968 and six times since them; the 1976 Monarch Destroyer; The Most Honourable Stetson RPB Wiltshire who has won the most titles – 10 times, and the 1995 kaiso king Edwin Yearwood – the island’s lone triple-crown monarch.

National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Chief Executive Officer Carol Roberts highlighted the palpable excitement surrounding this year’s calypso competition as she congratulated the finalists and all the calypso tents that pitched. Additionally, Roberts conveyed her gratitude to the judges and coordinators for their invaluable contributions.

For the generosity of the sponsors — including Courtesy Garage, which returned as title sponsor, Cooperators General Insurance, and Sol Barbados Ltd., the newest addition — the CEO extended her heartfelt gratitude. She acknowledged that the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals and other festival events would not be possible without their support.

“This competition is extremely important to the preservation of those intangible cultural aspects of our Crop Over Festival. . . . Like no other competition or other event, it gives us a capsule of the issues and the personalities of the day creatively expressed by our musical griots – the calypsonians. And that is one aspect of the festival that the Foundation continues to pledge to preserve for as long as we are producing this festival,” Roberts stressed.

Regional Product Manager of Courtesy Garage, Samuel Gaston, affirmed his company’s commitment not only to the Pic-O-De-Crop Final but also to other aspects of the Festival. He explained that Courtesy’s support aims to enhance and enrich.

To the finalists, Gaston offered his congratulations for reaching the Big Yard. And emphasised that, although only one individual will be crowned the winner, each finalist is a winner in their own right due to their contributions to the festival, which should not be diminished by the final result.

The 2024 champion of the Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Final will have the option of driving away in a 2024 Nissan E Power X-Trail valued at $136,000 or taking $100,000 in cash. If the vehicle is chosen, the winner gets $5 000 in insurance from Cooperators General Insurance and $1 000 in fuel vouchers, thanks to SOL.

The second-place finisher will be awarded $40,000, the third-place will receive $20,000, and the fourth-place will take home $15,000. The individual in fifth place will be granted $10,000. Positions sixth through tenth will each earn $8,000, and those placing eleventh through nineteenth will receive $6,000. Additionally, an appearance fee of $1,500 will be paid to each contestant.

Admission for the Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Final are $40 and $50 at the door.

Tickets are available online on TicketPal.com and at the National Cultural Foundation, Lucky Horseshoe Warrens and Worthing, Abbeville Rockley, NU Look and CS Pharmacy Bridgetown, Emerald City Six Roads, Carlton Supermarket Black Rock, A&B Music Supplies Wildey, SmartStore Limegrove and Welches and Ah Touch of Class Lanterns Mall. (PR)

Culture

Barbados Participates In International Conference On Cultural Heritage

A three-member Barbadian delegation is in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa: A Dialogue on the Concept of Authenticity, which aims to foster an exchange of research, experience, knowledge, and observations.

The members of  the delegation are Steve Devonish, Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee and Site Manager for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison; Alissandra Cummins, Deputy Chair of the Barbados World  Heritage Committee; and Dr. Sheron Johnson, Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

The four-day conference is a significant event dedicated to repositioning and redefining the concepts of authenticity and integrity in the context of African heritage. It is organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the African World Heritage Fund, and has brought together heritage experts, government officials, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and academics from across Africa and the world.

Barbados, as the only Caribbean country to present at the conference, has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, organisers of the conference, and other African countries.  

The delegation, at the request of the Director, spoke to the outcomes of the conference having implications for small island developing states such as Barbados, as much of our heritage has linkage with Africa.

The meeting also seeks to address the gap between global heritage frameworks and African realities, particularly how authenticity and integrity are defined and applied. Its importance lies in the current application of authenticity, which has a European slate and negates African ecological realities, communities and  landscapes.

Africa is home to an extraordinary wealth of cultural and natural heritage, yet it remains underrepresented on the World Heritage List. Currently, African sites make up only 12.26 per cent of the 1,223 World Heritage properties globally, despite the continent’s significance as the cradle of humanity. Additionally, it has the highest number of endangered heritage sites worldwide.

While in Kenya, the delegation, led by Mr. Devonish, paid a visit to the High Commission for Barbados in Kenya and engaged in fruitful discussions with the High Commissioner William McDonald on ways to  further deepen the relation between Barbados and African States on matters of  heritage, support for Barbados’ future plans at the World Heritage Centre, and ways the Division of Culture can support the Mission’s outreach to the Kenyan population. (PR/GIS)

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Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

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Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices. 

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)

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