Carib Scope

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  • Nexa Credit Union celebrates outstanding Panorama triumphs

    Nexa Credit Union celebrates outstanding Panorama triumphs

    Grenada’s annual Spicemas Panorama competitions have closed out with historic victories for two teams backed by local financial institution Nexa Credit Union, with the Nexa New Dimension Steel Orchestras earning top and second-place honors across the junior and senior divisions. In a statement released following the competitions, Nexa Credit Union extended warm congratulations to every musician, arranger, and leader of the organization’s two steel orchestras, hailing their standout performances that showcased the depth of Grenada’s iconic steelpan culture.

    The junior cohort kicked off the competitive cultural season with a burst of energy at the Children’s Carnival Frolic, the official opening competition for young steelpan talent. Led by arranger Jeremy Ottley, the Nexa New Dimension Juniors delivered a dynamic, crowd-pleasing arrangement of V’ghn’s hit Jab Decisions, which featured guest vocals from Terra D Governor. The young musicians’ months of disciplined practice, combined with their infectious on-stage joy, earned them a second-place finish in the junior category. This strong result, Nexa Credit Union noted, signals that the next generation of Grenadian steelpan culture is being nurtured by skilled, committed young talent.

    In the marquee Senior Panorama competition, the Nexa New Dimension senior orchestra made cultural history by securing its 15th National Championship title, adding another landmark achievement to its decades-long legacy of excellence. Under the creative direction of arranger Cordel Byam, the band took the stage as the final performer of the night, delivering a masterful interpretation of Sakinah’s I Got Me that earned a stunning 281 points from judges. The orchestra’s precise execution and raw, heartfelt passion held the entire stadium in thrall, ultimately locking in the top spot and bringing the national championship crown back to the ensemble once again.

    Beyond celebrating its own teams’ successes, Nexa Credit Union extended praise to every steelband, arranger, volunteer, and fan across Grenada who contributed to making Spicemas 2026 a resounding success. The institution emphasized that its long-term investment in local cultural development stems from a deep respect for the resilience and artistic excellence of Grenada’s pan community, whose work continues to inspire audiences and participants alike across the country.

    Nexa Credit Union reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to empowering local creative talent, nurturing national cultural pride, and supporting the vibrant community networks that drive Grenada’s social and cultural prosperity. This story was contributed by a partner of NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for contributor opinions or third-party content, and invites users to report any abusive content via official platform channels.

  • Cox calls for more platforms to showcase creative talent

    Cox calls for more platforms to showcase creative talent

    A veteran Barbadian secondary school art teacher and multi-disciplinary creative is pushing for systemic change to support local artists and filmmakers, arguing that the island nation must build consistent domestic exhibition spaces instead of pushing its homegrown talent to seek audiences abroad.

    George Cox, who brings more than three decades of experience in education alongside backgrounds in engineering and filmmaking, made the appeal while speaking at an ongoing art exhibition hosted by Inspirational Fine Arts Gallery, an unconventional creative space located on the upper level of Bridgetown’s Sugar Cane Mall on Roebuck Street. During his remarks, Cox emphasized that the Barbadian arts sector needs far more than occasional events like pop-up exhibitions and annual competitions to embed creative work into everyday national life.

    “Without the ability to display your work, it’s a problem and you need to display it to an audience. You need to display it to the people who are around you,” Cox told attendees of the show.

    To illustrate the gap in local opportunity, Cox pointed to his own daughter’s career trajectory: the film school graduate now holds a senior role with a production company that partners with Disney, building her successful career outside of Barbados after there were few pathways to showcase her work at home. Cox praised his daughter’s vision and storytelling skills, noting that her success abroad proves Barbadian creatives have world-class talent – but that talent too often has to leave the island to thrive.

    Cox stressed that Barbados already holds all the pieces to build a thriving, self-sustaining creative industry, if local stakeholders prioritize creating accessible public platforms for domestic work. He noted that while many Barbadian filmmakers are already creating intimate, authentic stories about life on the island, most of these projects never receive the distribution or exposure needed to reach broader local audiences.

    “We have film people out there, and they have to find a way to get themselves to express themselves out there, but there’s no platform where people get to see themselves,” he said.

    The educator specifically questioned whether national public broadcaster Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is doing enough to elevate local creative productions, pointing out that original Barbadian films almost never air on the network’s schedule. “We have a lot of films about Barbadians. But how many times have you seen it on CBC? Never,” he said.

    Cox described Barbadian filmmaking as a largely “untapped area”, adding that the island already has a skilled base of technicians and production crew capable of supporting large-scale domestic projects. What is missing, he argued, is intentional support to encourage more local storytellers to create work, paired with consistent spaces to share that work with the public.

    “We don’t get a lot of people creating film, creating story, and they don’t get to show themselves,” he added. Contrary to common attitudes toward critique, Cox argued that even negative feedback is a valuable tool for growth, as any form of public exposure gives creatives the chance to refine their craft and connect with audiences. “Even the worst opinions, or criticisms, is something, you know. It’s not negative,” he said.

    Cox held up neighboring Caribbean nations Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica as positive examples, where local creative work is far more visible to domestic audiences than it is in Barbados. He also highlighted the work of a former student who has built a consistent exhibition practice in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, noting that the creator is able to regularly share work and engage with other regional artists thanks to local support structures.

    He reserved particular praise for artist Sherridean Carmichael, founder of the Inspirational Fine Arts Gallery currently hosting the exhibition. Cox applauded Carmichael’s choice to locate the gallery in a repurposed corridor within a busy shopping mall, calling the unconventional space a creative statement in its own right. “Even this amazing art show. This could have been part of a documentary of some kind because this is an amazing lady and the very fact she’s found her little space where the gallery is the corridor, very creative,” he said.

    He added that the gallery and the diverse work on display there could serve as the foundation for a broader narrative about the struggles and triumphs of Barbadian creatives building their careers on the island. “This is a whole story all by itself,” he noted.

    While Cox acknowledged that the growth of the open internet has created new independent distribution avenues for creatives to share their work, he argued that traditional local media still has a critical role to play in centering authentic Barbadian stories. “The Internet is wide and vast. Television is ours right here. It’s one of our platforms that is right here,” he said.

    Cox concluded by noting that prioritizing local storytelling would not only benefit creatives – it would also help domestic media organizations build deeper connections with their Barbadian audiences. “I think more people would watch the CBC if there was more about them, you know, more storytelling about them,” he said.

  • Urban gospel artiste lands global award nomination

    Urban gospel artiste lands global award nomination

    Karlos Cobham, an established urban contemporary gospel musician and Billboard chart-topping artist, has secured two nominations at the 11th annual Avidity Gospel Music Awards, positioning him to claim his first-ever international industry win. Born in Barbados and currently based in the United States, Cobham advanced through the initial open voting round to earn his spots on the 2026 shortlist. He is nominated in two categories: Gospel Rap Artiste of the Year, and Gospel R&B/Hip Hop Single of the Year for his 2025 hit track *Blessed*. This is not Cobham’s first brush with industry acclaim. In 2022, his Christian hip-hop single *Royalty*, which featured veteran artist Emcee N.I.C.E., climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Christian charts and earned him consideration for a Grammy nomination. Now, the multi-hyphenate creative—who works as a songwriter, producer, and the chief executive officer of his independent label KWEST Records, where he also serves as the flagship signed artist—is on the cusp of marking a new milestone in his career. The 11th Avidity Gospel Music Awards will be hosted in Dallas, Texas, running from November 6 through 9. The event is organized by the Avidity Recording Academy (ARA), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting independent recording professionals and creative collaborators across the global music industry. The ARA’s core mission centers on three pillars: recognizing outstanding artistic work, delivering educational resources for emerging creators, and advocating for the independent music sector. Beyond celebrating top talent, the academy works to raise industry standards, nurture the next generation of music professionals, and help independent artists build sustainable, long-lasting careers within the broader mainstream music ecosystem. Cobham has publicly expressed gratitude to all the fans and supporters who took part in the first round of voting, which closed on July 19, and helped him secure his place among this year’s nominees. As the awards ceremony approaches, the gospel rap performer is poised to make history as he competes for his first international win, adding another chapter to his already impressive career in independent Christian music.

  • Gerda Duttenhofer overleden, markante radiopersoonlijkheid en pionier van Latin-muziek

    Gerda Duttenhofer overleden, markante radiopersoonlijkheid en pionier van Latin-muziek

    The Surinamese radio community is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive and beloved figures: veteran broadcaster Gerda Duttenhofer, who has passed away at the age of 79. The news of her death was officially confirmed by Radio 10, the station where Duttenhofer built her decades-long career and left an indelible mark on local broadcasting.

    Widow of Werner Duttenhofer, founder of Radio 10 Magic FM, Gerda Duttenhofer was tied to the station from its very inception, working alongside her husband to shape its identity and connect with audiences across Suriname. For generations of listeners, her voice became a familiar, trusted presence on the airwaves, defined not only by her one-of-a-kind timbre but also by her unfiltered spontaneity, encyclopedic knowledge of music, wide-ranging curiosity, and larger-than-life flamboyant personality.

    Duttenhofer rose to prominence as the host of two long-running, fan-favorite programs on Radio 10: the weekday show *Club Tropicana*, which introduced listeners to a diverse array of sounds, and the iconic Sunday evening broadcast *Sabor Con Calor*, which brought the rich rhythms and vibrant cultural atmosphere of Latin America directly into homes across the country. At a time when Latin music had not yet secured a mainstream place in standard radio programming in Suriname, Duttenhofer became the genre’s most passionate advocate, using her platform to introduce it to wider audiences. Her deep love for Latin music shone through in every track she selected and every segment she hosted, leaving an enduring impact on local music tastes.

    Beyond her commitment to music, Duttenhofer regularly explored other topics on her shows, from literature to shifting social currents and the changing spirit of the times. Her broadcasting style was deeply personal, rooted entirely in her own genuine interests and perspective, and it became inextricably linked to the identity Radio 10 built in its first decades on air. In a 2009 retrospective of the station’s history, Duttenhofer was profiled as a singularly vibrant radio personality; she herself once noted that she missed making radio deeply even when she was on vacation, a comment that underscored how central broadcasting was to her life and identity.

    When Radio 10 first launched on December 10, 1996, Duttenhofer was there from day one. While her husband’s legacy was tied to the station’s entrepreneurship, technical development and overarching vision, Gerda carved out her own unique space, building a loyal following through her personality, expertise, and on-air presence. Even after her husband’s death, she remained closely connected to the station, preserving a key chapter of Suriname’s commercial radio history.

    Her death comes just a few months before Radio 10 marks a major milestone: its 30th anniversary, which will be celebrated on December 10, 2026, exactly 30 years after the station’s first broadcast. Though Duttenhofer will not be present to mark the occasion, her contribution to Suriname’s radio industry extends far beyond her tenure as a founding figure of Radio 10. Through her distinct taste, signature style, and unmatchable personality, she carved out a permanent place in the country’s broadcasting landscape. For the listeners who tuned in week after week to *Club Tropicana* and *Sabor Con Calor*, her legacy remains that of a broadcaster who made radio on her own unapologetic terms: outspoken, spontaneous, versatile, and endlessly devoted to music.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #49

    Leisure : Did you know ? #49

    Haiti-based digital publisher HaitiLibre has marked a major expansion of its popular educational quiz platform, announcing that 30 new knowledge games were added to the service on August 1, 2026, pushing the total number of available quizzes to 210. The platform, which releases fresh content on a monthly rolling update schedule, features its signature twice-weekly “Did You Know?” series, which shares little-known facts across global and local topics to build public general knowledge.

    In the 49th installment of this series, the quiz explores the history of a iconic traditional garment, posing a question to audiences: which single-piece rectangular garment with a central head opening traces its origins to the Andes Mountains?

    The answer reveals the deep indigenous roots of the poncho, a garment that has been woven by Andean communities for centuries. Historically crafted from warm, durable alpaca or llama wool, the poncho’s minimalist design strikes a perfect balance for Andean life: it provides robust thermal insulation to protect wearers from the region’s freezing high-altitude temperatures, while leaving arms unconstrained for agricultural work and daily movement.

    Beyond its practical function, the poncho carries profound cultural meaning for Andean indigenous peoples across Peru, Bolivia, and neighboring South American nations. Artisans traditionally weave intricate geometric patterns and vibrant, natural dyes into each piece, with motifs that carry narratives of the community’s history, values, and ancestral identity. Today, the poncho stands not just as a functional clothing item, but as a powerful symbol of indigenous cultural pride and resistance against cultural erasure.

    HaitiLibre’s quiz platform is designed to be accessible to audiences of all age groups, with three difficulty tiers—easy, intermediate, and expert—for every quiz topic. All games are offered completely free of charge, require no user registration, and are available in both French and English to serve a broad cross-section of users. Visitors to the platform can explore hundreds of quizzes covering everything from Haitian history and culture to global general knowledge, with the expert section catering to curious audiences seeking more challenging trivia.

    The publication encourages users to share the platform with friends and family, and invites feedback via a comment form included at the end of every quiz to help shape future updates. As the platform continues to grow its library with 30 new games added monthly, it remains a go-to free resource for anyone looking to expand their general knowledge and learn new, little-known facts across a wide range of topics.

  • Rainieri Cultural Center launches La Cantera to showcase emerging Dominican artists

    Rainieri Cultural Center launches La Cantera to showcase emerging Dominican artists

    In Punta Cana, the nonprofit Rainieri Cultural Center has unveiled a groundbreaking new initiative for the Dominican art community: La Cantera, a compact temporary exhibition space purpose-built to lift up emerging creative voices and redefine the trajectory of local visual arts.

    Tucked alongside the center’s main auditorium, this 35-square-meter venue was crafted specifically to address a longstanding barrier for young and early-career artists: the high barriers to entry and logistical hurdles that come with mounting shows in large, formal exhibition spaces. Where the center’s primary temporary exhibition hall stretches across more than 400 square meters, creating cost and installation pressures that often exclude emerging creators, La Cantera strips away those burdens, allowing artists to direct their full energy toward the core of their practice: developing and sharing meaningful work with audiences.

    Beyond giving creators a low-pressure platform to show their work, the initiative also carries a broader mission: to cultivate a new generation of art collectors invested in Dominican talent, and to cement La Cantera’s reputation as a launching pad for artists who will go on to shape the future of the national art landscape.

    La Cantera kicked off its exhibition calendar with *Visions of Yauya*, a thought-provoking show from interdisciplinary artist and writer José Carlos Nazario. The exhibition opened to the public on June 10 and will run through mid-September, inviting visitors to engage with Nazario’s unique artistic vision.

    The series draws its core inspiration from Nazario’s personal experiences during the global COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdowns and social distancing upended daily life, the artist found solace, quiet reflection, and unexpected creative spark in the untamed landscapes of Punta Cana’s Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve, a protected natural area that became his creative sanctuary during that uncertain period.

    The exhibition features four large-scale mixed-media works, produced with a range of materials from traditional art supplies like ink, watercolor, and acrylic to organic, everyday substances including turmeric and coffee, all applied to paper. Rather than creating photorealistic depictions of the reserve’s scenery, Nazario reinterprets the landscape through the lens of personal memory, intuitive feeling, and unbridled imagination, incorporating technical approaches rooted in surrealist automatism to create evocative, one-of-a-kind pieces.

    Through this opening exhibition, Nazario also challenges common global perceptions of Punta Cana, which is most often framed solely as a sun-and-sea tourist destination. *Visions of Yauya* reframes the region’s rich natural landscapes as a profound source of artistic inspiration, highlighting a side of the area that rarely receives international attention.

    For the Rainieri Cultural Center, the launch of La Cantera advances the institution’s longstanding commitment to elevating homegrown Dominican creative talent, while fostering new connections between artists, local and visiting audiences, and emerging and established art collectors. As a nonprofit organization based in Punta Cana, the center’s core mission centers on advancing Dominican culture through a rotating slate of exhibitions, public educational programs, and community-focused cultural events, with a particular focus on preserving and celebrating the unique historical and cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic’s eastern region.

  • Halcyon Steel Orchestra Says thanks to its Partners and Supporters for Carnival 2026

    Halcyon Steel Orchestra Says thanks to its Partners and Supporters for Carnival 2026

    As the confetti settles on Antigua Carnival 2026, one of the island nation’s most storied cultural institutions, Halcyon Steel Orchestra, is closing out its landmark 55th anniversary season with a mix of reflective gratitude and quiet pride, even after falling short of the coveted Panorama competition title.

    Held on August 1 at Carnival City, this year’s annual Panorama contest saw the veteran ensemble retain the third-place position it earned in previous competitions. While the outcome did not align with the group’s championship ambitions, Halcyon’s collective membership emphasized that every performer can stand behind the work and dedication they brought to the 2026 season.

    In an official statement shared following the competition, the orchestra noted, “Above all, Pan in Antigua and by extension, Carnival 2026 was the true winner.” The group extended warm congratulations to every ensemble that took the stage for the annual “Great Showdown,” with particular praise for CUB Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, which made history by clinching an unprecedented seventh consecutive Panorama championship. West Indies Oil Company Gemonites Steel Orchestra claimed the second-place spot in this year’s competition.

    The close of the 2026 Carnival comes as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to mark World Steelpan Day, a global observance that celebrates the iconic Caribbean musical instrument born from the region’s cultural innovation. For Halcyon, the end of the season offers a natural moment to step back and celebrate another year of sharing cultural heritage, bringing communities together through music, and participating in the nation’s most beloved annual celebration.

    A core part of the orchestra’s end-of-season message centered on gratitude to the wide network of partners and supporters that made its 55th anniversary participation possible. Major supporting sponsors named by the group include Antigua Cruise Ports, PLH/Barbuda Ocean Club, Shirley Heights Lookout, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Antigua Masonry Products, and private donor Michael Joseph, along with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

    Halcyon also extended special appreciation to its own roster of players, the family members who support their craft, the hundreds of volunteers who manage behind-the-scenes operations, and every individual who contributed to the group’s 2026 campaign. “To our loyal supporters at home and across the globe, thank you for your unwavering encouragement throughout the season,” the statement read. “Your belief in Halcyon inspires us to strive for excellence year after year.”

    Looking ahead to future competitions and seasons, the steel orchestra confirmed it will carry forward the lessons learned from 2026, while reaffirming its longstanding commitment to preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s rich steelpan cultural heritage and chasing competitive excellence in all future performances.

  • A well-deserved ‘anko’ for a calypso king

    A well-deserved ‘anko’ for a calypso king

    On a reflective Sunday at Castries City Hall, hundreds of loved ones, colleagues and cultural stakeholders came together to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Pancruce McGriffin Theodore, the iconic Saint Lucian calypso artist universally known by his stage name “The Mighty Terra”. The celebration of life, dubbed an “Anko” event, was jointly organized by the Carnival Music Management Committee (CMMC) and the Folk Research Centre (FRC), drawing members of the island’s tight-knit calypso and cultural community from across the region.

    The eight-time national calypso crown holder – a record that includes seven consecutive championship wins – passed away on July 19 at the age of 86, leaving behind a decades-long imprint on Caribbean cultural life. Terra launched his historic reign at the top of Saint Lucian calypso in 1957, when he claimed his first title with the beloved track “Rock and Roll Calypso”. He would go on to dominate the local calypso scene for generations, penning enduring fan favorites including “Ban the Advocate” and “Wabeen Government”, with his final public performance taking place at the same Castries venue in 1996 with the powerful track “War”.

    Born and raised in Vieux Fort, Terra broke barriers from his earliest days in the industry. As a student at Saint Mary’s College, he defied strict school policies that discouraged student participation in calypso performance, challenging outdated stereotypes about the art form and paving the way for young Saint Lucian artists to pursue their creative passions openly. Beyond his recording and performance career, Terra made his mark far beyond the stage: he was an active leader with the Saint Lucia Arts Guild, contributed extensive public service to his home island, and built a second life as a community leader in Canada, where he studied, worked and lived for many years.

    Claude Paul, a representative of the CMMC, framed Terra as one of the foundational trailblazers that pushed Saint Lucian calypso into the respected global cultural force it is today. “He was truly a trailblazer with respect to Calypso and music, and I also learnt he was a member of the Arts Guild,” Paul shared during Sunday’s tribute. “I am very happy to learn that Terra was part of that movement as well, making Saint Lucia part of the cultural capital of the Caribbean.” Paul noted that the Arts Guild, which elevated early works from the iconic Walcott brothers and other pioneering Saint Lucian creators, was a core driver of the island’s mid-20th century cultural renaissance – a movement that benefited greatly from Terra’s participation and leadership.

    The event featured tributes from calypso tent leaders across the island, including Sean Marcelin of Fire One Tent, Mervin Wilkinson of South Tent and Kennedy “Boots” Samuel. TC Brown from the Kaiso Pros Tent honored Terra’s legacy with a special performance of his track “Where are they now?”, which explicitly references the late artist. Additional musical tributes came from performers Blaze, Haggai and Lord Jackson, accompanied by musician Martin James. Former FRC director Hilary Laforce shared personal recollections of Terra’s career, recalling the artist’s 1996 final performance and participating in the traditional Saint Lucian wake custom of sharing lighthearted “quick, quack” jokes in Kweyol. Sunday’s gathering was chaired by Calixte George Junior, Terra’s nephew, and opened with a formal blessing from Monsignor Patrick Anthony.

    While the day was filled with celebration and remembrance, one prominent calypso leader raised a urgent call to action to preserve Terra’s legacy for future generations. Cecil Charles, leader of the Take Over Tent, voiced concern over the critical lack of surviving audio recordings and formal documentation of Terra’s vast body of work. Holding up the only existing published resource connected to the artist – a book released by the FRC – Charles emphasized that preserving the pioneer’s cultural contribution must be a top priority for all calypso advocacy and preservation groups.

    The legendary calypsonian is set to be formally laid to rest on Tuesday, August 11, at the Lady of Our Rosary of Fatima Church in La Clery, bringing a close to a life that forever reshaped Saint Lucian and Caribbean culture.

  • The Book Fair remains a great stronghold of ideas

    The Book Fair remains a great stronghold of ideas

    The 34th iteration of the Havana International Book Fair officially opened its doors on Wednesday, with Cuban President and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez leading the opening ceremony at Havana’s iconic Cultural Station located at the intersection of Línea and 18th Streets.

    In his opening remarks, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, president of the Cuban Book Institute, underscored the significance of moving forward with the beloved cultural event despite challenging external conditions. This year’s fair carries a special thematic dedication to Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader who shaped modern Cuba’s literary and publishing landscape. “However adverse the circumstances, we could not fail to hold this Book Fair, dedicated to Fidel, because that great reader, the Commander, became, from the very first days of the Revolution’s triumph, our greatest promoter of books and literature,” Cabrera told the assembled crowd of dignitaries, authors, and book lovers.

    Cabrera detailed Castro’s far-reaching legacy in building Cuba’s domestic publishing ecosystem, noting that the late leader was the founding force behind not just the National Printing Office of Cuba and the National Publishing House, but also the Cuban Book Institute and the nationwide Territorial Publishing System. Beyond institutional building, Cabrera emphasized that Castro’s personal advocacy made it possible for Cuba to secure publishing rights and release domestic editions of many of the most influential works of contemporary global literature. For decades, Cabrera added, the Havana Book Fair has served as a critical crossroads for knowledge sharing, the diffusion of cutting-edge literary movements, and open debate on global issues – a role it retains as a vital hub for intellectual exchange even today.

    Alongside its broader dedication to Fidel Castro, this year’s fair also pays tribute to two of Cuba’s most prominent contemporary intellectuals: poet, novelist, and journalist Marilyn Bobes, and leading historian and researcher José Bell Lara. Two custom audiovisual productions highlighted the decades-long careers of both figures, featuring their own acceptance remarks alongside tributes from fellow writers and scholars who celebrated their contributions to Cuban cultural life.

    A highlight of this year’s event is the participation of the Russian Federation as the fair’s guest of honor, a role that highlights the longstanding ties of friendship, solidarity, and cultural cooperation between Moscow and Havana. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, noted that the opening came just ahead of the centennial celebration of Fidel Castro’s birth, closing his impassioned address with a rousing cry of “Long live Cuba!” Shvydkoy also reflected on Cuba’s enduring global reputation as a destination that draws creators from across the globe, noting that the island has long been a magnet for writers.

    Attendees gave a standing ovation to a special performance by the Russian State Academic Folkloric Ensemble, which treated the crowd to two pieces: a tribute titled “Comandante Fidel” and a lively set of variations on the well-known Russian folk piece “Kalinka.” The official opening ceremony wrapped up with a performance from celebrated Cuban musician Pancho Amat and his group Cabildo del Son.

    The opening ceremony was attended by a host of top Cuban government and party officials, including Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power; Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister; Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yuniasky Crespo Baquero, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and head of its Ideological Department; and Alpidio Alonso Grau, Minister of Culture. Russian Ambassador to Cuba Víctor Koronelli also joined the ceremony alongside the Russian delegation.

  • Sour Serpent, Lil Jelo tie for Calypso crown

    Sour Serpent, Lil Jelo tie for Calypso crown

    Grenada’s iconic annual Dimanche Gras celebration closed out the 2026 Calypso Monarch competition with an unprecedented historic first: a tied first-place finish between two seasoned calypso artists that delivered one of the most memorable finals in recent competition history. Sean “Sour Serpent” Niles, hailing from St David, walked away with his second national crown, adding to his 2019 victory, while Jelonie “Lil Jelo” Fleming claimed the first major senior title of his 20-year career in calypso arts. Both competitors finished with an identical score of 494 points, leaving judges unable to split the two standout performances.

    For Niles, the 2026 win caps off a historic carnival season for his entire family, just weeks after his son Christian “Moti” Niles took home the 2026 Junior Calypso Monarch title. Across his two performances, Niles leaned into sharp, socially conscious commentary that has become a hallmark of his work. His opening number, *Last Resort*, confronted the ongoing crises of gender-based violence and femicide across the region, crafting a moving lyrical plea for transformative intervention to protect women from systemic harm. For his second round, Niles turned his attention to policing and public perceptions of crime with *Unwanted Men*, challenging the long-standing convention of police “Wanted Man” posters. He argued that the framing misrepresents the status of violent offenders, arguing “So let we change that poster and don’t make that mistake again. You’re not wanted in the community; you’re not wanted in the society. Let his posters read unwanted men.”

    For Fleming, the first-place tie represented the payoff for 20 years of sustained dedication to Grenada’s carnival and calypso traditions. He launched his performance career in 2006 singing parang before expanding his repertoire to include soca and eventually competitive calypso. Earlier in the 2026 carnival season, Fleming placed 7th in the Power Soca Monarch competition on Bacchanal Friday, but he outperformed all expectations to share the top spot in the calypso competition.

    Fleming’s set blended sharp political commentary with playful cultural satire that resonated with judges and audiences alike. His opening track *Change* leveraged the word’s dual meaning — referring to both electoral political change and loose small-denomination currency — to reflect on Grenada’s recent political shifts. He referenced the New National Party’s once-landslide election victory and its subsequent erosion of public support, weaving the narrative into a thoughtful calypso reflection. For his second performance, he turned a beloved local cultural quirk into comedy with *Bus Association*, playing on the Grenadian slang term “bussing,” which describes when a performer forgets their lyrics on stage. Fleming drew a parallel between the route stickers displayed on public buses and the need for calypsonians to have their own “route stickers” to keep them on track with their lyrics, drawing laughs across the venue.

    The competition carried quiet echoes of calypso history, even as it made new history. Organizers confirmed early in the event that 11-time former Calypso Monarch Finley “Scholar” Jeffrey would not defend his crown, ending his long streak of competitive appearances. Though Jeffrey did not compete, he returned for a special guest performance outside the official rankings. His influence was tangible throughout the competition: it was Jeffrey who first recognized and nurtured Fleming’s vocal talent during Fleming’s early days competing in the Junior Calypso division, laying the groundwork for his 2026 breakthrough win.

    Rounding out the top four were two other standout competitors: Carriacou’s 2024 Calypso Monarch Killa B took third place with 492 points, just two points behind the tied winners, while Valene secured fourth place with 488 points. The 2026 result marks steady upward progress for Valene, who placed 6th in the 2024 national competition and 9th in 2025, climbing steadily closer to a top podium finish. The full top 11 results saw Innocent take fifth place with 480 points, Big J sixth with 479, Jerenton seventh with 477, Randy Isaac eighth with 476, Father Paul ninth with 469, Sherrine tenth with 468, and Messenger eleventh with 464 points.

    Between competitive sets, the Dimanche Gras showcase paused to honor veteran artists who have shaped decades of Grenadian calypso culture, formal recognizing their decades of dedication to the art form. Special tribute awards were presented to Finber “Shortpree” Andrews and Jerry “Papa Jerry” Andrews to mark 25 years of sustained contributions to the national calypso landscape. Veteran cultural leaders Randy Isaac and Elimus “Inspector” Gilbert also received honors celebrating their 40 years of continuous work supporting and performing calypso across Grenada.