who’s going to Germany?

With 19 days to go before the departure of the national cultural contingent to represent Trinidad and Tobago in Germany at the World Cup football finals, there is utter confusion and frustration in the ranks of the artistes awaiting word from Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams as to who will finally be selected to represent the country.

Some artistes have already made their own arrangements to go to Germany, not wanting to get caught up with the confusion surrounding the selection.

These include Machel Montano, Destra Garcia and Maximus Dan, whose “Soca Warrior” has been the unofficial theme song for the national football team.

It was reported that Yuille-Williams took the list to Cabinet for approval on Thursday after which she was supposed to release it to the media.

However that did not happen. Reports were that another meeting was scheduled between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and herself for yesterday morning but still there was no word on the list up to press time. Newsday was subsequently informed that the culture ministry sent a promotional team comprising Junia Regrello, Derek Lewis of Island People and pannist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe to hold press conferences and market what TT has to offer.

Sharpe’s role was to give a sample of what those attending the competition can expect from the national instrument. They returned from Germany on Thursday night and that may have caused the minister to delay releasing the names.

The present situation is that the ministry has decided that instead of taking their regular choice of dance companies, the Malick Folk Performers and the Shiv Shakti Dance Troupe, they are going with what has been described as a “pick-up” side of dancers from various dance companies around the country to form a “national dance troupe” with approximately 18 persons.

These dancers will portray six to eight big costumes as well as teach German school children how to portray some 60 additional costumes that were obtained from various mas bands. Chutney artistes including Rikki Jai have also been picked to be part of the contingent that had previously listed Shurwayne Winchester, Stalin, Iwer George, Kees Dieffanthaller, Roy Cape All Stars and Stalin.

But mystery stll surrounds the question of which steelband would eventually be taken to Germany. With Boogsie being the chosen one to promote TT in the last week and with the band busy practising excerpts from Beethoven’s music it appears that Phase II Pan Groove is the chosen band. The only definite information now is that accommodation in Germany has been booked for 124 artistes from June 7 to 21 with performances every night.