Address by
Patrick Arnold, President, Pan Trinbago,
at the launch of the G-Pan
Saturday 21st
July 2007 at the University of the West Indies,
St. Augustine, Trinidad
• Prime Minister, The Hon. Patrick Manning
• Minister of Culture, Community Development & Gender Affairs.
Hon. Joan Yuille-Williams
• Other Government Ministers
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps
• Representatives of the University of the West Indies and the
wider academic community
• Representatives of Industry
• Executive of Pan Trinbago
• Brothers and Sisters of the Steelband Fraternity
• Members of the Media
• Ladies & Gentlemen
I want to begin by saying, on behalf of Pan Trinbago, how very
pleased we are to be part of this evening’s initiative. This has
to be a proud moment for every citizen of Trinidad & Tobago.
It also has to be a moment of great pride for every individual
associated with the steelpan movement in this country.
It has to be so for every steelpan player in Trinbago, and
more so for those who toiled with the evolution of the instrument
in the early days and continuing.
As we all know, the steelpan emerged from among the masses and
from among the poor and underprivileged in our society.
The early pioneers therefore lacked the technology and resources
available to others working in the field today.
And yet, out of what was available to them, and out of their
very humble circumstances, they were able to give to the world
the most important musical instrument invented during the last
century.
We must therefore pay tribute to the early pioneers: Spree
Simon, Ellie Mannette, Bertie Marshall and others, all of whom
contributed to the evolution of the steelpan in their own
special way.
The steelpan has been and will always be about the people of
Trinidad & Tobago.
In point of fact, together with calypso and other indigenous
musical art forms, it defines the heart and soul of the people
of this nation.
This evening’s development has to be a very proud moment for
every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
After all, for long time, the cry on the part of many in our
nation has been “whey the hell pan reach” and that “pan in
danger”.
Further, that a lot more needed to be done by way of research
and technological development to take the steelpan to the next
level and to where it should be in this century. And, quite
rightly some have been looking to the government and the
academic community to play their part.
Ladies and gentlemen, what we have before us this evening is a
new set of steelpan instruments. That in itself is nothing new,
as we have shocked the world over the years with the creation of
new steelpans to increase the versatility of the instrument.
This evening, the difference is that this new set of steelpans
has been the result of much, indeed an unprecedented level of
scientific and technological research and innovation to improve
the musical competence and marketability of the instrument.
What we also have this evening is a new series of steelpans
which is currently beingpatented and invested in the name of the
government and people of Trinidad & Tobago.
This is truly a great an historic moment for the steelpan in
Trinidad & Tobago. This is one of the best declarations of the
identity of the people of Trinidad & Tobago.
It is no longer a question of creativity and possession, but one
about the ultimate closure concerning invention and ownership.
And no one will be able to deny us what is ours.
We of Pan Trinbago are happy to see the government’s involvement
in a hands-on way, and the level of collaboration with the
University of the West Indies.
For us at Pan Trinbago, all of this is about respect for the
instrument. Since the steelpan is about the people, this
evening’s initiative is also about respect for the culture of
our people.
This evening we are talking about a steelpan revolution, but I
also see what is happening here as part of a wider cultural
revolution.
A nation that can promote and develop its culture has a great
future; one significantly of its won making and which will make
its mark on the global civilization.
Our small but obviously great nation has already been doing
this. However, with this initiative we are giving ourselves the
opportunity to do so even more.
There can be no doubt concerning the many benefits to be derived
from any improvement in steelpan technology in this country.
And this evening’s initiative exposes us to new levels of
musicality and marketability of the instrument, as well as
opportunities for business and cultural development.
There can be no doubt that all of this will create positive
opportunities for our young people. The list can go on and on.
There shall be challenges, but we shall overcome them, as all
will provide enlightenment for a better future for our steelpan
music and the steelpan industry here in this country.
Honorable Prime Minister, we of Pan Trinbago and the steelpan
fraternity wish to express our appreciation to you and the
government of Trinidad & Tobago for this important historical
and revolutionary initiative.
We look forward to the future and to new dimensions of
collaboration as we seek to take the national instrument to
where it should be in this century.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your attention.
