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Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin has called for stronger efforts to recognise, support and preserve the work of Trinidad and Tobago's cultural figures while they are still alive. Benjamin made the appeal during her tribute to the Mighty Sparrow at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, where she reflected on his extraordinary contribution to calypso and Caribbean identity. The Minister said Sparrow's passing should encourage the country to reconsider how it protects the achievements of musicians, writers, performers and other creative professionals. She emphasised the importance of documenting artists' personal histories, preserving recordings and ensuring future generations understand the contributions of those who helped shape the nation's culture. Benjamin also called for greater support for living calypsonians and other creative professionals, describing that objective as a personal commitment. Reflecting on Sparrow's career, she said his success demonstrated that Caribbean artists could achieve international recognition without abandoning their cultural identity. The Minister encouraged younger performers to recognise their roots as a source of strength rather than an obstacle to success. She also shared memories of growing up in a household where Sparrow's music was constantly played, particularly his popular composition Melda, which she said became part of her family's everyday life. Benjamin described Sparrow as a storyteller, philosopher, cultural ambassador and fearless social commentator whose songs helped generations understand themselves. Her appeal highlighted a broader question facing Trinidad and Tobago's creative sector: how to ensure cultural contributions are properly recognised, documented and supported before the artists themselves are gone.
Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin has called for stronger efforts to recognise, support and preserve the work of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural figures while they are still alive.
Benjamin made the appeal during her tribute to the Mighty Sparrow at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, where she reflected on his extraordinary contribution to calypso and Caribbean identity.
The Minister said Sparrow’s passing should encourage the country to reconsider how it protects the achievements of musicians, writers, performers and other creative professionals.
She emphasised the importance of documenting artists’ personal histories, preserving recordings and ensuring future generations understand the contributions of those who helped shape the nation’s culture.
Benjamin also called for greater support for living calypsonians and other creative professionals, describing that objective as a personal commitment.
Reflecting on Sparrow’s career, she said his success demonstrated that Caribbean artists could achieve international recognition without abandoning their cultural identity.
The Minister encouraged younger performers to recognise their roots as a source of strength rather than an obstacle to success.
She also shared memories of growing up in a household where Sparrow’s music was constantly played, particularly his popular composition Melda, which she said became part of her family’s everyday life.
Benjamin described Sparrow as a storyteller, philosopher, cultural ambassador and fearless social commentator whose songs helped generations understand themselves.
Her appeal highlighted a broader question facing Trinidad and Tobago’s creative sector: how to ensure cultural contributions are properly recognised, documented and supported before the artists themselves are gone.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
