Representatives from the Carnival Village, which comprises of the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC), Ebony and Mangrove Steel Orchestras, and Yaa Asantewaa arts Center, arrived in Trinidad on Monday for a series of meetings.

The three representatives, including director Shabaka Thompson, are set to meet T&T’s Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Marlene Mc Donald, as well as representatives from the Copyright Organisation of T&T (COTT) and the Entertainment Company of T&T.

The aim of the meetings is to raise the profile of the Carnival Village in T&T and to explore mutually beneficial cultural and corporate opportunities.

The ABC has worked closely with the Yaa Asantewaa over several years to encourage British youth to get involved with the calypso art form, this was done through workshops as well as by inviting junior calypso monarchs from T&T to London to perform at the annual London Calypso Tent since 1983.

Former Junior Calypso Monarch and 2008 Dimanche Gras finalist Karene Asche is one of the youths who’s benefitted from this association, and this year she has been invited by the ABC as the International Guest Artiste for the 2008 London Calypso Tent.

T&T 2008 Junior Calypso Monarch Megan Walrond will also be performing at the tent. Carnival Village continues to work closely with the T&T High Commission in London, with the support of former ambassador to London Glenda Morean Phillip and the High Commission’s Public Affairs, Culture and Tourism Attache Ashton Ford.