Happy World Steelpan Day!
Today, we celebrate our national instrument — born from the ingenuity, creativity and resilience of our people — and the transformational power it continues to have on communities, especially our youth.
Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, has long championed the application of the “panyard model” in youth development. Through initiatives like the President’s Pan Camp, young people are not only learning music, but also essential life skills — collaboration, discipline, leadership and creativity.
“It begins with a decision to do something different – to identify and to understand the challenges around us, and to be willing to look inwardly to improve our capacity to meet those challenges head-on. That is exactly what the pioneers of the steelpan did.”
— Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T.
On this World Steelpan Day, let us be inspired by the example of the pioneers of pan — to create, to collaborate, and to transform our communities and our nation.