Last Updated on December 9, 2022, 6:09 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Irvin Sweeney, renowned in the local calypso circles by the name of King Sweeney, announced that he adopted the Junior Calypso Monarch Competition for three (3) upcoming years. He presented a proposal to St Kitts Nevis National Carnival Committee. The Proposal included the donation of trophies and cash prizes for various winners. The presentations will start during the Sugar Mas 51 with the FLOW Junior Calypso Competition.
Reportedly, Dr Sweeney significantly influenced the advent of the Junior Calypso Competition. He stated that even though he had great success in competing in the competitions from 1970-1983 for the Senior Calypso Monarch, his greatest satisfaction was his contribution to the youth calypso.
Further, he confessed that he was most satisfied with the opportunity to work for introducing the National Carnival Youth Calypso Competition in the year 1973.
Further, he acknowledges that identifying and moulding the emerging talent of St Kitts and Nevis uplifted the overall standard of calypso art form throughout St Kitts and Nevis.
In light of the challenges, to motivate the youngsters of St Kitts and Nevis who are struggling to cope with the “new normal” from the pandemic and his anxiety over the continued advancement of the Youth Calypso in St Kitts, he wanted to offer incentive”.
For the next few years, the Youth Calypso Monarch Awards include De King Sweeney Youth Calypso Monarch Trophies and cash awards totalling EC$1973.00. The amount is symbolic of the year when SKNNCC officially introduced the National Carnival Youth Calypso Competition. The authorities will break down the cash prizes into the following denominations:
$1000 for the Winner
$550,00 for the first runner-up
$423 for the second runner-up.
The organizers will distribute all three (3) cash prizes and trophies on the night of the competition.
The Chairperson of St Kitts and Nevis National Carnival (SKNNCC), Shannon Hawley, thanked King Sweeney for his contribution to an area of Carnival which has faced significant challenges for some time.
Chairperson Hawley believes that renowned calypsonians, Kut, Starshield, Ranger, Monarch, Jackie, Konris, and Hollywood, would not be with us today if not for the initiative of King Sweeney.
The SKNNCC will host the FLOW Junior Calypso Monarch competition at The Circus, downtown Basseterre on Friday, December 9, 2022. It will constitute a part of the first Festive Friday.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
