The Cultural Unit within the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries will host a Blockorama to commemorate World Steel Pan Day 2023 on August 11th, from 12 noon to 2 pm on Redcliffe Street between Corn Alley and Market Street.
“At the 77th UN General Assembly, a resolution was passed with a co-sponsorship from 27 member states to adopt and declare August 11th as World Steelpan Day and will be annually observed on the UN’s calendar.
This resolution is due to its historical significance of the steelpan movement created and cemented linkages to the arts, tourism, culture, education, as well as science, technology and engineering sectors.
“It has become a musical instrument with substantive cross border recognition throughout the world contributing to sustainable development as the playing of the steelpan can positively impact on gender equality, mental health and wellbeing, youth empowerment, socio-economic development and sustainability,” the document said.
Antigua and Barbuda shares a long history with Trinidad and Tobago and the steelpan community the world over.
This relationship commenced in the middle 1940’s and since then the steelpan has become an integral aspect of the Antiguan and Barbudan cultural identity.
Pan enthusiasts and other spectatators will be treated to sweet pan music from some of the best steel orchestras from across the country.
These steel orchestras include West Side Steel Orchestra, Amarni Gomes, Panache Steel Orchestra, Halcyon Steel Orchestra, CUB Hells Gate Steel Orchestra and much more.
This event will be streamed live via our Instagram page @antiguafestivalsoffical in collaboration with Miami Carnival @miabrocarnival platform.