France - France has had steelbands for several decades now. They were first adopted in the French West Indian community (from Martinique and Guadeloupe), and became more widespread since the 90s. However, beside a mailing list connecting most of the ‘actors’ (215 members) in a Pan community, France never had any kind of formal organization.
Stimulated by the need of an official representation at the international level, a set of French steelbands decided to create a federation. They are delighted to ‘officialize’ the launch of “Steelband en France” - the association. The founding meeting was held in Arcueil on 17 May 2015, and the association was officially registered on 25 July 2015.
The organization is made up of a federation of associations and
structures dedicated to the development and promotion of the Pan and
music of Trinidad and Tobago. The organization’s web site can
be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/steelbandsenfrance/.
Dr. Aurélie Helmlinger, secretary of the association, will represent “Steelband en France” at the ICP (International Conference and Panorama).
The board of directors and founding members are:
- Arc en ciel (Les Allumés du Bidon) represented by Jean Duval
- Calyps’Atlantic represented by Mokhtar El Mokhtari
- Calypsud represented by Laura Trouchaud
- Calypsociation represented by Paloma Bertrand
- D.n'roy / La Philharmonie represented by Xavier Mertian
- Kaducia represented by Alain Rouaud
- Ramajay Steelband represented by Aurélie Helmlinger
- Pan à Paname represented by Guillaume Kervel
- Pan n co represented by Bérengère Rortais
- So’Calypso represented by Fanny Broueilh
The directing committee is composed of:
President: Mokhtar el Mokhtari
Vice president: Bérengère Rortais
Treasurer: Guillaume Kervel
Assistant Treasurer: Jean Duval
Secretary: Aurélie Helmlinger
Assistant Secretary: Paloma Bertrand
From the News Desk of: Steelband en France
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