Culture

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

Heritage Month 2025 Launched | Several Receive Heritage Awards

The historic Morgan Lewis Windmill came alive on Sunday, June 1, as the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with its Barbados World Heritage Committee, officially launched Heritage Month 2025 under the theme: “Preserving and Protecting Our Heritage”.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a month-long celebration that forms part of the broader Season of Emancipation, which runs until August 27. In her remarks, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, emphasised that preserving heritage is not just about honouring the past, but about shaping the future.

“We must recognise heritage as a living resource. It is a tool for empowerment, especially for our youth and a pathway toward building resilient, culturally grounded communities,” she said.

The Minister connected the Heritage Month observance to broader national goals, particularly the empowerment of youth and the development of new economies rooted in cultural heritage.

Dr. Sheron Johnson, Senior Cultural Policy and Research Officer and Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, reflected on the growth of Heritage Month since its inception in 2012.

“What began as a single initiative to mark our UNESCO inscription has evolved into a national observance. It now encompasses all aspects of Barbadian heritage – from built heritage to the stories and traditions that continue to shape our identity,” she noted. “We are excited to see increasing engagement from young people and communities islandwide.”

One of the highlights of the launch was the presentation of the Recognition of Contribution to Heritage Awards, acknowledging outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Barbadian heritage. This year’s honourees were:

Peggy McGeary – for her work in education, folk culture and museum programming
Virgil Broodhagen – for artistic excellence and historic preservation
Neville Legall – for visual arts and cultural mentorship
Bruce Jardine and Robert O’Neal – for architectural restoration and heritage leadership
Professor Pedro Welch (posthumous) – for pioneering research in history and heritage. His daughter Gem Bonnett attended the event and accepted the award on his behalf.

Two Outstanding Heritage Stewards, Sherry Headley and Randy Batson, were also recognised for their volunteer service and youth mentorship in heritage initiatives.

Heritage Month 2025 features a diverse slate of public events, including:

Jazz in the Churchyard – June 14 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church
Historic Mosques of Bridgetown Book Launch – June 16
Heritage Pop-Up at We Gatherin’ St. George – June 21
Barbados National Trust Bus Tour – June 21
Antiques Market and Writer’s Ink Literary Tour – June 22
Youth Roundtable on Heritage and Science – June 25
Rock Hall Freedom Village Tour – June 28
BTMI Genealogy Lecture – June 29

The evening concluded with a rum tasting by Dr. Geoff Ward and guided tours of the windmill. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight (centre), poses with Heritage Award honourees (left to right) – Gem Bonnett; Virgil Broodhagen; Peggy McGeary; Robert O’Neal; Bruce Jardine; and Neville Legall, at the launch of Heritage Month 2025 at the Morgan Lewis Windmill last Sunday.

Culture

Barbados Goes To Southern California

“We Gatherin’ 2025 is about us as a people. It is a celebration designed to inspire national pride in all Barbadians and create the environment for us to create the best version of Barbados for us, by us. Barbados is calling you home!”

Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States of America, Vic Fernandes, made this declaration last Saturday, while delivering the keynote address at the Embassy of Barbados’ We Gatherin’ launch in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, California.

Ambassador Fernandes stated that the year-long event was “not just a festival” but “a celebration of us—we Bajans”.

He continued: “It is an opportunity to honour our achievements, share our stories, and look boldly toward the future. Imagine a year where every parish comes alive, culminating in December when we all come together, showcasing the vibrancy of our culture in every village and community. Picture the laughter and conversations of reunited families and old friends, filling the air with joy and nostalgia.”

Over 200 Barbadians, including from the Barbados Association of Southern California, and Bajan and Friends for Health and Education Inc., participated in the launch. They benefitted from exchanges with the team from the Embassy of Barbados, which comprised Ambassador Fernandes; First Secretary William Clarke; and Information and Logistics Officer, Tricia Greaves-Staggs.

Prizes and giveaways were facilitated by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Export Barbados. First Secretary Clarke also took the opportunity to introduce some of Barbados’ priorities, including education reform; creating a diaspora database; trade; digital transformation and the Bridgetown Initiative.

He indicated that We Gatherin’ 2025 is more than an event – it’s a chance to deepen our bonds and revel in the pride of being Bajan and to connect with Barbadians near and far, wherever in the world they may be. (PR/GIS)

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)