Qualifying Calypsonians Announced For Semi-Final Round of Calypso Monarch Competition
After a gruelling week of competition, 18 Calypsonians have been selected to proceed to the semi-final round of the Calypso Monarch Competition, to be held this Sunday, June 23rd, at the National Cultural Centre.
Quarter-final shows of the Calypso Competition were spread across four exciting nights of Tent at the National Cultural Centre. Calypsonians from each of the four tents put on rousing displays for the judges and calypso lovers. The 18 calypsonians selected to advance to the semi-final round of competition, are listed below in alphabetical order:
Sobriquet
Calypso Tent
Ashe
TOT/Soca Village
Blaze
Kaiso Pro’s Tent
Bingo
Fire One
Dezral
Fire One
Educator
Fire One
Gamtion
South Calypso Tent
Herb Black
TOT/Soca Village
King Kakal
South Calypso Tent
Menell
South Calypso Tent
Mica
TOT/Soca Village
Mighty Sizzler
Fire One
Oshun
South Calypso Tent
Qpid
TOT/Soca Village
Queen Yadzz
South Calypso Tent
Solange
Fire One
Taker
TOT/Soca Village
TC Brown
Kaiso Pro’s Tent
Ti Carro
TOT/Soca Village
Tickets for Calypso Semi-Finals are only $40 and available from Steve’s Barbershop and The Cell outlets island wide. At this stage, nine calypsonians will be selected to compete against the defending monarch: Ti-Blacks, for the 2024 Calypso Monarch title.
For updates relating to all carnival competitions, visit www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or @carnivalsaintlucia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The CPMC wishes all Calypsonians best of luck in the next round of the competition as they prepare for the Monarch.
Yandi J from Sir Ira Simmons Reclaims Crown with Mongouge Combined For Schools Calypso Competition
20 young calypsonians from Primary and secondary schools across Saint Lucia participated in the 2024 National Schools Calypso Competition on Friday, July 7. Capturing the title for this year’s Primary School title was Kenyan Osman, from Mongouge Combined with a captivating performance of his calypso, entitled “Take your time”. 2023 winner Yandi J, from Sir Ira Simmons Secondary, was able to reclaim her title in the Secondary Schools Category with her rendition entitled “Number 1”.
Mongouge Combined Win Primary Category
The Calypsonians performing at this year’s competition addressed issues of violence in schools and society, and challenges faced by students. The competition was divided into the Infant/Primary and Secondary Schools Division. The winners for each division are as follows:
Infant/Primary
Position
School
Calypsonian
Winner
Mongouge Combined
Kenyan Osman
1st Runner- Up
Ave Maria Girls Primary
Zalaya Fanis
2nd Runner- Up
Carmen Renee Memorial
Keemarah Marius
2nd Runner- Up
RC Boys Infant
Caleb John
Secondary
Position
School
Calypsonian
Winner
Sir Ira Simmons
Yandi James
1st Runner- Up
Micoud
Evany Francis
2nd Runner- Up
Castries Comprehensive
Serona Toussaint
2nd Runner- Up
Bocage
Caiden Poleon
This year’s competition was held at the SAB in Vigie. All participants in this year’s competition received cash prizes for the respective School and from the sponsors, laptops, tablets, headphones, photoshoots, and grocery hampers.
Yandi J is Crowned
Sponsors of the 2024 National Schools Calypso Competition include Piton Malta, National Lotteries Authority, Promotech, KFC, Sandals, Pinehill Massy Stores, and The Right Angle.
To stay informed on updates on Junior Carnival and information on all other carnival events, go to www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or follow @juniorcarnivalsaintlucia and @carnivalsaintlucia for more.
Qualifiers Announced for Lucian Carnival Soca Monarch Quarter-finals 2024
After an overwhelming response from artistes following the call for submissions for the 2024 National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions, a panel of judges sat for a listening audition to select the artists who qualify for the 2024 Soca Monarch Quarterfinals.
The following artistes and songs have been selected for the next round of the National Competition.
Power Soca Finalists
Name/Sobriquet
Song
Mas In We Heart
Mas In We Heart
Bronxx, Matta, Ricky T
Better than them
Carlton CR Roberts
Maté
Chap
Green Card
DJ Mintek
Fog It Up
Eempey Slicker
Again
Ezra D’FunMachine
BeYoutiful
Fross
AI Invasion
G. Punga
Class-E
Ilah Man
Charge Up
J’urgen
My Doudou
Jarvin Octave
The Feeling
Jastar
Troublemaker
Jiggy
Side Work
KB
Revelers Anthem
Keenan La
Flooding De Road
Kisha Kay, Claudette “CP” Peters, Nicole David
It’s Carnival
Mac 11
De Wife
Mantius
Anyting
Menell
Carnival Is Here
Migz
Bumpa Magic
MNR
Take Over
Mongstar
Push It Back
Mowgly
Play
Orion
Good Day
Oshun
Energy
Oz
Out and Mad Out
Pablo
Unity
Qpid
Famalay
Ricky T
Look Something to Talk About
Sedale, Mata, Bronx
More Rum
Shemmy J
Flowers
Siah
Money Behaviour
Slack
Fake
Sly
Break Away
Umpa, Ti Blacks
Carnival Fun
Vic Nation
Shots
Young DP
For The Carnival
Zido
Sit – If I Die, I Die
Zionomi
Side Work
Groovy Soca Finalists
Name/Sobriquet
Song
AhNil
Looking
Bandit ft. Dev.
Toxic Water
Bronxx
Gorilla Glue
Buffalo
Sail Away
Carlton CR Roberts
Ah Happy
Chairman
Free Up
Crown
Real Veteran
Eempey Slicker
Only Fan
Esteblazin
Live In The Moment
Ezra D’FunMachine
Selibwe
Freddie
Party Season
Imran Nerdy
Money
Invader
Focus
J’urgen
Confidentiality
Jae, J’uren
Drunk Already
Jiggy
Move
Kardo
Blessed
Keenan La
Right Now
Keytinna
Royalty
Kisha Kay
By Myself
Mac 11
Not Interested
Mantius
Royal
Mata
Mal Pale
MNR
Send It
Mongstar
Look Who’s Back
Naii
Down Dey
Nintus
Nothing Cah Stop We
Noreto
Vybe Already
Oshun
Champion
Qpid
Carnival Nice
Ricky T
Just Your Turn
Sedale
Find a Way
Shayne King
Pucker Up
Shemmy J
Carnival Gros Pwel
Siah
Keep It
Slack
Skin
Sly
Damn Proud Lucian
Solange
Jealous
Ti Blacks
Seasons
20 artists will then be selected in each category to move on to the Semi-final round of competition on Saturday, June 22. This show is open to the general public and will be held at the National Cultural Centre Grounds from 6pm. Tickets are only $20 and are available from Steve’s Barbershop and The Cell outlets island wide. For updates relating to the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competition, visit us at www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or @carnivalsaintlucia on Facebook or Instagram. The CPMC wishes all artistes best of luck in the next round of the competition as they prepare for the Monarch.
In the Quarterfinals stage, the 40 qualifying artistes will be required to perform their songs to a panel of judges on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday June 9, 2024. This session is not open to the public.
20 Schools Scheduled to Compete in the National Schools Calypso Competition
Twenty (20) schools across Saint Lucia will compete in this year’s National Schools Calypso Competition scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024, at the SAAB, Vigie, Castries.
The Competition will be divided into two segments: infant/primary schools and secondary schools. The participating Schools are as follows.
Secondary Schools
Primary Schools
1
Bocage
Anglican Infant
2
Castries Comprehensive
Augier Combined
3
Ciceron
Ave Maria
4
Corinth
Carmen Rene Memorial
5
Micoud
Ciceron RC Combined
6
Patricia D James
Les Etangs RC Combined
7
Saint Lucia Sports Academy
Mongouge Combined
8
Sir Ira Simmons
Morne Du Don
9
St. Josephs Convent
RC Boys
10
Vieux Fort Comprehensive
Vieux Fort Infant
Thirty-six (36) schools auditioned in front of a panel of judges to be a part of this year’s competition. Qualifying Calypsonians will undertake a series of training sessions to prepare them for competition.
The reigning National Schools Calypso champions are Darnel from Reunion Primary and Yandi J from Sir Ira Simmons Secondary.
Tickets for this year’s competition cost EC$10 per student and EC$20 per adult and can be purchased from participating Schools, The Cell outlets islandwide, or Steve’s Barbershop in Castries.
To stay informed on updates on the National Schools Calypso Competition such as venue and ticket information, and information on other national carnival events, go to www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or follow @JRCarnivalSaintLucia on Facebook, and Instagram.
May 31st Deadline for Submissions For 2024 Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competition
The Carnival Music Management Committee (CMMC) announced the upcoming deadline for the submission of applications for the 2024 National Groovy and Power Soca Competition as midnight on Friday, May 31st, 2024.
Artistes interested in participating in the 2024 Groovy and Power Soca Monarch are required to complete the electronic form, uploading an image of themselves, as well as the intended competition song and backup track in WAV or MP3 format.
Groovy Soca song submissions should not exceed a tempo of 130 beats per minute (BPM), whilst Power Soca submissions must play at a tempo faster than 130 BPM. Songs must be correctly classified to qualify for the respective competitions.
The next stage of competition is Preselection, where a panel of judges will listen to the submissions and short list applicants in a closed listening session on June 2nd. Subsequently, qualifiers will compete live in the Quarter-Final round of competition scheduled for June 8-9, 2024. Artistes applying for the competition are asked to note the dates for the next round of competition.
Music is an integral part of Lucian Carnival, significantly contributing to shaping the experience of all patrons. The CMMC encourages all interested persons to apply for a chance to compete in this year’s festival.
For more information on the 2024 Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competition including rules and guidelines or to apply, visit www.carnivalsaintlucia.com.
Updates Announced For National & Community Carnival Events
The Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) in conjunction with various stakeholders, have announced updates to the National and Community events calendar. Notable updates include new dates for Canaries Carnival, and D’Segment; a Dennery Segment Festival new to the Carnival calendar of events.
Lucian Carnival switched into high gear with the announcement of a packed calendar of events for the 2024 Carnival season including national competitions and events, Junior carnival, calypso tent schedule, community carnivals, and private events, catering to everyone.
To stay informed on updates on Lucian Carnival such as venue and ticket information for events, go to www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or follow @carnivalsaintlucia on Facebook, and Instagram.
National Carnival Queen Delegates Assigned Sponsors
The seven (7) delegates participating in the 2024 National Carnival Queen Pageant were officially presented to their corporate sponsors yesterday evening, at the annual Sashing Ceremony held at Sandals Grande.
The event was streamed live, giving the public an opportunity to join in the excitement of the announcement. The delegates and their assigned sponsors are as follows:
Aeryn George – Miss Windjammer Landing & Residences
Anneka Thompson – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia
Kadin Antoine – Miss Caribcation
Menella Sebaram – Miss Caribbean Galaxy & Real Estate
Shan Lucien – Miss Bounty Rum
Tunisia President – Miss Pierre Marcel
Yaneil Joseph – Miss Duty Free Pointe Seraphine
In recognition of the 70th staging of the National Carnival Queen Pageant, delegates were all sashed by Queens from past years. Chairperson of the National Carnival Queen Pageant Committee, Trevor King, spoke to the significance of paying homage to the queens. “This Pageant is in my opinion the most beautiful part of our festival. Several women have paraded in dazzling gowns and stellar costumes in a celebration of culture and national pride, and their contributions to the vibrance of our festival for over 70 years cannot go unnoticed. Thank you to our eternally graceful and regal queens.” Some of the queens in attendance reigned as far back as 1973.
During the ceremony, the CPMC also recognized the contributions of Ms. Michelle Monrose, for her contribution to the National Carnival Queen Show having served as the head of the planning committee for several years; Mr. Sean Greaves, local costume designer, talent coordinator, and trainer; and Massy Stores for having sponsored the pageant for over twenty years.
In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Carnival Planning & Management Committee, Ms. Tamara Gibson, commended sponsors on their contributions to the development of the pageant and its delegates. “There’s always overwhelming interest surrounding the National Carnival Queen Pageant, and in recent years we’ve seen our sponsors take their support to new heights. You’ve become invested far past your individual delegate. You recognize the principles of youth development, sustainability, and inclusivity that have become the drivers of our work at the CPMC, and you utilize your resources to ensure that you provide each delegate with opportunities to reach their maximum potential.”
Following the sashing, the delegates will now become ambassadors for their brands. Sponsors arrange various sessions to give delegates an insight into their business, including tours of their facilities.
The sashing ceremony is available for viewing on the YouTube page of Carnival Saint Lucia. Follow @saintluciacarnivalqueenpageant on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates on the pageant and @carnivalsaintlucia for all things Carnival. The National Carnival Queen Pageant is set to take place on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at the Pavilion on Rodney Bay.
Outcome Declaration of CARICOM, International Partners and Haitian Stakeholders
The text of the following statement was released by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Haitian stakeholders, the United Nations, the Governments of Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United States of America, on the announcement of a transitional governing arrangement between the Haitian stakeholders, in Kingston, Jamaica – 11 March 2024.
CARICOM convened Haitian Stakeholders and the following International Development Partners: Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the United Nations, and the United States of America to discuss the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. This meeting followed a series of discussions over a period of time, including those facilitated by the Eminent Persons Group, which engaged a wide range of actors including Haitian political parties, the religious community, private sector, the diaspora, and civil society.
We are pleased to announce the commitment to a transitional governance arrangement, which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power, continuity of governance, an action plan for near-term security, and the road to free and fair elections. It further seeks to assure that Haiti will be governed by the Rule of Law. This commitment reflects hard compromises among a diverse coalition of actors who have put their country above all differences. To that end: We acknowledge the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, upon the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council and the naming of an Interim Prime Minister.
And the following is agreed:
The creation of a Transitional Presidential Council comprised of seven voting members and two non-voting observers. The seven voting members will comprise one representative from each of the following groups: Collectif, December 21, EDE/RED/Compris Historique, Lavalas, Montana, Pitit Desalin, and the Private Sector. The non-voting members will be represented by one member from Civil Society and one member of the InterFaith community. The Council will exercise specified presidential authorities during the transition, operating by majority vote;
The exclusion from the Transitional Presidential Council of:
anyone who is currently on a charge, indictment or has been convicted in any jurisdiction;
anyone who is under UN Sanction;
anyone who intends to run in the next election in Haiti;
The Transitional Presidential Council will swiftly select and appoint an interim Prime Minister;
The Transitional Presidential Council will together with the Interim Prime Minister appoint an inclusive Council of Ministers;
The Transitional Presidential Council will hold the relevant and possible powers of the Haitian presidency during the transition period until an elected government is established. The Transitional Presidential Council will undertake the following:
Appoint an inclusive Council of Ministers;
co-sign the orders, decrees and to sign off on the agenda of the Council of Ministers
set the essential criteria for the selection of an impartial Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and establish the Provisional Electoral Council;
make arrangements for a peaceful transition, ensure continuity of governance, and establish a national security council;
continue collaboration with all members of the international community for the accelerated deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission authorized by UNSCR 2699/2023.
It is agreed that implementation of these measures will be conducted in parallel.
The parties also made specific, individual commitments regarding principles of inclusion, integrity, a restoration of peace, and an orderly transition of power.
These shared and individual commitments can represent important steps toward facilitating increased humanitarian access to help ease the suffering of the Haitian people. The international community stands ready to partner with Haiti to achieve these goals.
Haitian participants must now fully implement their commitments. Haitians deserve a country where children can go to school and their parents know they will be safe. We commend the willingness and courage of Haitian stakeholders to commit to put Haiti back on a path toward democracy, stability, and prosperity.
With a framework in place that illuminates a path forward, it is incumbent upon all Haitians to give the agreement a chance to work, to enter into a process of national dialogue, and to lay the groundwork for a transition that is based on inclusivity, encourages participation by all stakeholders, and paves the way for elections as soon as possible. This is the only sustainable path to a future of strong democratic institutions, peaceful resolution of conflict, and security and prosperity for all Haitians.
CARICOM’s food security drive receives USD1.6M boost from New Zealand
The Caribbean Community’s goal to reduce food imported to the Region by 25 percent by 2025, has received a boost from the government of New Zealand to the tune of USD1.6M, targeting women and youth in agriculture.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, and the new Plenipotentiary Representative of New Zealand to CARICOM, Her Excellency Linda Charlotte Te Puni, signed a Grant Funding Agreement for the project on Wednesday, 28 February at the Guyana Marriot in Georgetown, on the margins of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.
The regional food security project titled: CARICOM BOOST: Women and Youth in Agriculture is part of New Zealand’s commitment to further deepen development cooperation with CARICOM and seeks to enhance sustainable production, climate change resilience and profitability of 47 CARICOM women and youth farmer groups in ten (10) Member States. It is expected to see the use of protected structures and appropriate cold storage unit technologies in women and youth-led agriculture production. The general aim of the project is to promote climate smart agriculture through sustainable agriculture production.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of CARICOM, Secretary-General Barnett noted that the project reflects a collaborative approach that will impact positively on the Region’s food security system and benefit the most vulnerable.
New Zealand, according to the new Plenipotentiary Representative, can provide additional support in areas such as food security, renewable energy, transportation and regional connectivity, disaster risk reduction, management of sargassum invasive species, and facilitating closer collaboration between the Community and the Pacific Island Forum. Additionally, the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme provides opportunities for related knowledge expansion and skills development for Caribbean nationals.
The grant funding follows a new Cooperation agreement between CARICOM and New Zealand, signed in June 2023. It also comes in the wake of the recent accreditation of Ambassador Te Puni as the Plenipotentiary Representative of New Zealand to CARICOM in early February. At that time, the Ambassador lauded the “valuable role” CARICOM plays in supporting regional economic development and signaled her country’s “long-term” commitment to the Community.
IMF says Saint Kitts and Nevis continues to benefit from PM Drew’s decision to open the country in 2022; growth expanded by 3.4 percent in 2023
The immediate re-opening of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis 24 hours after his election as Prime Minister in August 2022 continues to reap economic benefits for the twin-island federation.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its concluding statement on March 1, 2024 following its Article IV consultations in Basseterre during its February 15 – 26, 2024 visit said Saint Kitts and Nevis “continues to recover from the [Covid-19] pandemic and cost of living crisis” and that the Federal Government of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew “has ended 2023 with a surplus, thanks to fiscal prudence and the outperformance of the citizenship-by-investment program (CBI).”
The IMF said the economic outlook for Saint Kitts and Nevis “is positive, particularly as large-scale renewable energy projects begin to be implemented” and predicted a five percent growth in GDP for 2024.
The IMF Report said: “A rebound in tourism has powered growth in the past two years. The economy expanded an estimated 3.4 percent in 2023 after a growth of 8.8 percent in 2022. GDP is expected to return to the pre-pandemic level this year. Higher commodity prices and shipping costs pushed average inflation to an estimated 3.6 percent in 2023 from 2.7 percent in 2022 despite fiscal measures to reduce the pass-through. The 2023 budget recorded a surplus of 1 percent of GDP, thanks to strong CBI performance and continued fiscal prudence.”
Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Hilary Hazel; and senior officials of the International Monetary Fund
“While near-term risks are somewhat tilted to the downside, renewable energy projects are likely to provide further growth momentum in the medium term. Growth is projected to strengthen to 4.7 percent in 2024, supported by tourism, an acceleration of housing and public infrastructure project execution, and investment in renewable energy. Over the medium term, growth is expected to gradually moderate to 2.9 percent. Geopolitical risks and commodity price volatility, as well as a global slowdown weighing on tourism, represent key downside risks in the near term. CBI revenues pose a two-sided risk with significant uncertainty. Over a longer horizon, faster-than-expected implementation of solar and geothermal energy projects could boost near-term activity, turn the country into a net energy exporter, support economic diversification, and incentivize capital investments to utilize surplus energy,” said the IMF.
Pointing out that the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) has performed well in recent years, the IMF expressed the view that “there is scope to further improve the integrity of the program.”
The IMF credited the Drew administration for improving the governance of the program “by advancing CBI legislation and creating the CBI Board of Governors to improve oversight” and suggested the “transparency and accountability of the CBI program could be enhanced further by publishing an annual financial report on the CBI unit’s operations and key data on applications.”
It said the fiscal stance should be tightened to maintain a balanced budget over the medium term under conservative assumptions about future CBI inflows.
“While a broadly balanced budget is expected in 2024, achieving a balanced budget over the medium term will require a gradual tightening of the fiscal stance in response to the potential CBI revenue decline expected by IMF staff,” the IMF said and suggested that this could be achieved by foregoing further CBI dividends and other untargeted payments and by returning current expenditures to their pre-pandemic level as a share of GDP.
“This would require firm control of the wage bill and goods and services expenditures and the full phasing-out of electricity subsidies. Progress in these two areas would allow for an expansion of targeted social assistance and capital expenditures (particularly those that improve the resilience of physical infrastructure to natural disasters),” the IMF Report said.
