Everything is going as planned for Carnival 2013 says Brother Resistance, president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco). "Everything is on stream and we expect things to go well for in terms of calypso next year. We are very prepared for this Carnival season," he said.
The rapso artiste spoke to the T&T Guardian yesterday after Tuco held its 12th Annual General Meeting at the VIP Lounge, Grand Stand, Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. "The Government does not directly assist Tuco. The Government makes an allocation for the Carnival. Tuco has a responsibility to develop the calypso product and so the allocation is to deliver the calypso product. The Government does not directly give us money," he said.
He also commented on the changes that are expected for Carnival next year. Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Lincoln Douglas said last week that the Government intends to get more for its investment as prize money for next year may increase. "We have the opportunity to host the Calypso Monarch Final as an event and we had already taken that decision since last year. We are quite satisfied that we can make it happen," Brother Resistance said.
He is also hoping that there is a renewed interest in calypso tents for this Carnival season. "For 2013 we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Calypso Review and we want to use that as a point of reference to generate interest among the general public for calypso tent culture. We want to bring back the calypso tent and for people to appreciate the entertainment in the tent," he said.