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Poor showing at Kitch memorial By Trevor Burnett, Trinidad Guardian July 4, 2003 |
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The legacy of Kitchener took quite a bashing with the sorry support of about 80 people at the unveiling of his monument last Saturday at the Santa Rosa RC cemetery, Arima. Not only was parish priest Fr Christian Pereira absent, so too were representatives from the various Carnival special interest groups and Tidco. Through the years we all benefited in different ways from the original lyrical teachings and the soothing musical therapies belted out by Kitchener. There were only two calypsonians present, Striker and Luta, and not a single official representative from the various zones of TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation). Calypso tent managers Jazzy Pantin and Claude Martineau were among those in attendance, as was Jit Samaroo, making way for a grand pan performance from his brother Lalchan. There was also no representative from a Pan Trinbago zone or, worse yet, the National Carnival Committee, despite the confirmation of invitations by Kitchener's widow Valerie Greene. One wonders, can the history of Trinidad Carnival be ever written without the significant contributions of Kitchener? Despite a sudden change in the weather for the worse, Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards and Culture and Tourism Minister Pennelope Beckles made themselves counted. Between the thunderstorms and the tears of Holly Betaudier, the function went off superbly. The evening's proceedings were conducted by Norma Clarke. Gloria Spencer reminisced of her childhood days with Kitchener. Greene, her daughter Quwenia, and cousin Ulrick Roberts, 90, recalled their cherished moments with the master of rhythm and rhyme. Former Kitchener manager Errol Peru delivered the feature address before unveiling the monument of the Grandmaster of Calypso. The evening culminated with a steelband performance by Caribbean Paradise Steel Orchestra, followed by Mayor Edwards inviting those present to refreshments at the Arima Town Hall. |