Panorama 2026 has been launched with no government funding.
The event took place at the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday, and according to PanTrinbago President Beverly Ramsey Moore it was a demonstration of the resilience and goodwill of stakeholders.
00:00The sweet sounds of the steel pan, the raw energy of Tasa, and the pure vibes only a rhythm section can bring.
00:24Panorama 2026 was launched at the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday, a precursor to the big event to be staged under the theme, a celebration of legacy, all's to love, all's to cherish.
00:38Today's a happy day, you know, pan is all about happiness, it's happy music, and so as we are about to launch Panorama, which actually kicks off on Wednesday night, it's amazing.
00:49But while all appeared festive on the surface, chords of anxiety over funding run deep.
00:55We are expecting that there will be no cut in our budget, we are expecting, all right, we are actually starting without funds, we are actually starting.
01:08But I expect as the month rolls on, we are going to see a release, and you know, we were not planning to do this launch at all, because, as you know, usually a budget is ready in September and then, but because it was ready late, and we understand what's happening.
01:26And so we are waiting, and we know our line minister has promised very soon that we are going to see releases.
01:32And so the band spoke about our struggle and about our resilience at our last meeting, I think it was last week, Tuesday, and because of that, they have all agreed to come here to play for free, yes?
01:46All that is unfolding here is the goodwill of our members, and so we decided that we must do this to show the resilient spirit of our steel band people.
01:55Pantry in Bago had long been mired in controversy over allegations of fiscal impropriety.
02:01However, it was only last month that Ramsey Moore announced that the organization was in its strongest financial position yet, with its latest audit confirming clearance of all outstanding debts and a surplus in its account of roughly $6 million.
02:17Well, I can tell you that you remember that panorama is one component of our carnival, all right?
02:32And so the government invests in carnival, and the country of itself, based on a study that was done, generates over a billion dollars.
02:42So then, carnival pays for itself. It pays for itself.
02:46Ramsey Moore went on to list the many benefits derived from the staging of carnival each year, as she stressed that carnival is a national investment.
02:56You know, sometimes people just see what the investment is.
02:59Oh, they're spending $150 million on carnival, or, oh, $137 million on carnival.
03:04But you don't see the trickle-down effects, right down to the nuts man, right down to the man that's picking up the bottle, right down to the lady who is selling aloo pie and all of that.
03:15The vendors, the fanists, all the person, the truck drivers, yeah?
03:20Those, the graphic designs, those who sell the T-shirts, it's an entire industry, and especially for Panorama, the bans put out a lot.
03:30You may see a first prize in a million dollars, but trust me, when you add up your expenses, you're going clear.
03:37Pantrin Bego is renewing its call for permanent headquarters in the capital city.
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