Martin Daly - Wired 868
I know many of our rulers and elites are blind to the true possibilities. As pleased as I am that Desperadoes will get a new pan theatre, I am certain that the underlying and persistent lack of understanding of the true capabilities of Despers and so many other cultural practitioners will not be cured by last week’s sod turning for the new Despers pan theatre or the completion of the project.
The remarks of Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell at the sod-turning ceremony illustrate the reason for lack of confidence that the performing arts will be competently, or even respectfully, positioned to take the economy forward. They demonstrate a lack of vision where culture, cultural export and tourism are concerned.
Photo: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (centre), Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland (second from right) and Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell at the sod turning for the Desperadoes Pan Theatre on 17 August 2021.
(Copyright Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts)
Mitchell reportedly expressed expectations that Despers’ new home would become a revenue earner, including foreign exchange when tourists visit since “as many as 3,000 people come into the city from a cruise ship”. He saw “limitless earning potential and possibilities through sustainable business models”.
Replies
Insiders know that RANDALL MITCHELL is very distrusting of THE WORLD OF PAN and will only pay lip service for political gain. But the PAN WORLD is desperate, needy and gullible -- so they will hold on to any pipe dream lit by ROWLEY or THE MINISTER OF CULTURE.
Uh, Oh! Well, I can’t argue with those sentiments.