MINISTER of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, has met the 25 semi-finalists in an effort to secure an agreement on the vision for this year’s Mashramani Calypso Competition.

He explained: “In the past, because we did not have such a meeting, it contributed to people not understanding our expectations. So we want to make those expectations very clear.”

Anthony said expectations are simple, in that, along with showcasing the art form, the hope is for a good show.

“This has been lacking for a while,” he admitted, adding that a “feel of the spirit” once made calypso attractive to its patrons.

“Calypso, in my mind, is not what it used to be,” Anthony agreed, though lauding the tremendous response from the public which led to 25 individuals being selected for the semi-finals, six of whom are women.

He said the commitment and genuine concern for the art form, by the general public, are welcome and heartening.

Anthony welcomed the ‘Mash Tents’, a Private Sector initiative that allows calypsonians to take the music to communities.

He posited that, as connoisseurs of the art form, calypsonians must show ownership and leadership in getting calypso to the Guyanese people.

It is only in this way that appreciation for calypso will be revived, Anthony stated.

“It is only when people can enjoy and appreciate it will they want to be a part of what you are doing and buy your records,” he noted.

Against that background, Anthony said, at the end of the day, the bottom line will always be quality.

However, he maintained that the effort is not a one-sided affair but a partnership.

“We are playing our part in facilitating a better competition but you have to play your role,” Minister Anthony told the group.

Referring to the significance of this year’s Mashramani celebrations, the Minister said the fact that Guyana has come a long way as a Republic is to be appreciated and so the calypso rivalry is made more special.

“At the end of the day, this is our county and our history. Whatever happened in those 40 years belongs to us. It is our legacy. It is about us. At this time, we are able to reflect on the road we travelled, the things we have achieved as a people and the aspirations of what we can do in the future. Calypso is the best way to celebrate this,” he asserted.

CONCURRENCE
Anthony said, besides concurrence on the vision for the Calypso Competition, several other matters were addressed.

One was the organisation of calypsonians in Guyana through the establishment of a Calypso Association.

“I think this is going in the right direction because, once, as artistes, you are organized, you will be able to set your own standards and negotiate things for calypsonians. There are many things that can come from such an association,” he acknowledged.

He said another point raised was massive promotion of calypso through television and radio and he observed that content and quality are issues to be clarified but gave the assurance they will be addressed in the future.

“It is not that we want to discount this but, if we feel that we have the capacity to do it and on a regular basis, it will be an engagement to pursue. It might not happen immediately but I am willing to do this and talk about developing it,” Anthony said.

On the issue of development, popular calypsonian ‘Mighty Rebel’ said the youths participating in junior competitions must be subject to some mentoring after the event.

He said, in that way, the younger ones exploring the art form will be guided in the right manner to mould their development.

The Junior Calypso Competition will be staged on January 30 at the National Cultural Centre and the Calypso Semi-Finals will be February 13 at Blairmont Community Centre Ground, where the winner of the HIV/AIDS Song Contest will do a guest performance.

The Finals are to be held on Republic Day at Thirst Park, where Mingles Sound Machine will be the official band for the occasion.

With the support of Banks DIH, guest artistes will be part of the finals in an effort to enhance the quality of the show.

The Mashramani 2010 programme includes masquerade, calypso, chutney and children’s bands, steelbands and costume competitions, regional activities and flag-raising ceremonies, all under the theme ‘Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Heritage’.