National Joint Action Committee, NJAC

National Action Cultural Committee

#40 Duke Street, Port-of-Spain Tel: 305-6621/623-5470

e-mail: njacc@tstt.net.tt

MEDIA RELEASE

The National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) requests that the Secretariat of the 5th Summit of the Americas give serious consideration to the inclusion of the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) as well as the National Calypso Monarch 2009, Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool), National Calypso Queen 2009, Twiggy (Anne Marie Parks-Kojo) and Young King Calypso Monarch 2009, Jervae Caesar, in the various performances scheduled for delegates.

The NACC is concerned that Trinidad & Tobago, the Land of Calypso, should not lose the unique opportunity for promotion of our Arts provided by the Summit. This suggests that Sparrow, the acknowledged Calypso King of the World and the winners of this year’s competitions should be given special attention at this time.

The NACC recognises that from a spiritual point of view, the Arts are the soul of our Nation. In addition, exposure of our Arts to an international audience provides another avenue for the diversification of our economy.

The committee feels that the organizers of the Summit should seize this time to show the Americas, the rest of the Caribbean and the wider world what calypso really means to us. To do otherwise would be a great loss to our national interests.

The committee believes that it is not too late to make adjustments to the various programmes since Sparrow has indicated his willingness to perform. The three winning artistes are also available and resident here in Trinidad & Tobago.

15th April 2009