The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) will officially launch Calypso History Month 2022 tomorrow, Wednesday 5 October 2022, at the VIP Lounge Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, at 10 am.
October was declared Calypso History Month in 2002. This year, the 20th anniversary of its observance, the theme is “Calypso Revolution: The Rhythm and Rhyme of a People”.
In 2021, TUCO paid tribute to the late Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba, who was the organisation’s president at the time of his untimely passing earlier that year, by dedicating the theme for the 2021 Calyso History Month to him—De Bell Reigns.
Nasser Khan, author of the book, “Heroes, Pioneers & Role Models of Trinidad & Tobago”, quoted the late Brother Resistance, who once said:
“Calypso celebrates and analyses life and the way we live it.”
“Trinidad and Tobago is the ‘Land of Calypso’, the birthplace of the art form, as far back as the late 1800s (Gros Jean),” Nasser Khan observed. “Calypso unites us as a society on many levels, as do soca, chutney soca, soca parang and rapso, recognised art forms spawned by the original calypso genre. Many have contributed to the development of the art form—writers, musicians, producers, promoters and, of course, the calypsonians, many of whom are immortalised through their works.”
Calypso History Month is normally used to celebrate the calypso artform and its chief proponents—the calypsonians. Celebratory events often include exhibitions and lectures aimed at educating the nation on the role the calypso artform has played in the social and political development of this country.
“The concept of Calypso History Month signifies!” declared a release issued today by TUCO.
Under the 2022 theme, “Calypso Revolution: The Rhythm and Rhyme of a People”, TUCO promises to use this Calypso History Month as:
“A time of celebration in acknowledgement of the contribution made by the elders and those pioneers who fought for the preservation of the Calypso artform. A time of reflection in acknowledgement of the role that the calypso has played in the social and political development of a free and independent society. A time of protection in acknowledgement of the cultural legacy bestowed on our nation, the Caribbean region and the Americas by the Calypsonians. A time of affirmation in acknowledgement of the role that Calypso has played in the development of a Caribbean literacy tradition.”