(Trinidad Guardian) The cancellation of the International Soca Monarch competition has left former winners and past competitors rattled and disappointed.
For the first time in three decades, the competition, which is typically held on what has been dubbed “Fantastic Friday,” will not be part of the 2023 Carnival calendar.
Speaking with Guardian Media on Thursday, ISM director Geoffrey Wharton-Lake said a lack of finances was the reason behind the decision.
Wharton-Lake also expressed disappointment that the Government was unable to give the event the money it had asked for. He refused to give the amount but Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell subsequently told Guardian Media the ISM management asked for $10 million and turned down Government’s offer of $3 million.
Yesterday, former ISM chair Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez said it was a sad day for the art form.
“It is really sad and we would hope this would be rectified in the future, given what ISM means for artistes now and artistes of the future, this move could be closing off a platform for the future Bunjis, Superblues and Machel Montanos,” Lyons-Alvarez said.
