UN Approves Resolution Making August 11 World Steelpan Day
NEW YORK, New York – President of the Pan Trinbago, Beverly Ramsey Moore has described as a “monumental occasion” the passage of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declaring August 11 as World Steelpan Day.
The steelpan is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago and Moore, speaking from New York said “it is indeed a proud moment for Trinidad and Tobago."
"As the first female and 17th president of Pan Trinbago I am elated …at the passing of the resolution after our lien Minister (Randall Mitchell) would have presented it to the General Assembly."
“Look at the history from where pan came from, the struggle and resilience of people and today it is globally recognized. This is of course a monumental occasion, it is joy unspeakable and I want to thank the government of Trinidad and Tobago for pushing…and ensuring it was presented”.
Moore said that the UN recognition would bring further economic benefits to the local steelpan industry, given that in some parts of the world, a steelpan is sold for as much as US$5,000.
“The resolution was passed by consensus where we had over 80 countries signing on as cosponsors. This is itself a significant achievement and in terms of the awareness and the promotion of pan all over the world, it means therefore we can now ramp up our efforts at manufacturing and exporting and monetizing”.
She said there would be pan schools and other products linked to the industry and that the passage of the UN resolution “presents a platform for all our people in Trinidad and Tobago to get involved.
“Steelpan is being sold in some countries for something like three, four and five thousand US dollars and there fore I see it as a boost in the manufacturing sector”.
Mitchell, who led a delegation to the UN, said he was honored to be given the opportunity of placing before the UNGA the statement and resolution of having the pan recognized in this way.
“The steelpan allows for considerable tonal versatility and is used equally effectively to play local cultural compositions, soca, calypso, rapso, reggae and jazz as well as more complex compositions such as classical music in the genre of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and others. Mitchell said.
He said such renditions have brought “adoring audiences” to their feet as much in the panyards and some of the most prestigious concert halls around the world.
