The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture has invested EC$34,417.38 in musical instruments and equipment for the Carriacou Culture Train String Band Group.
The items were procured under the ministry’s Community Tourism Grant Funding Project, following a proposal submitted by the group after most of its equipment was destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
The instruments, which include guitars, ukuleles, microphones and a digital mixer, were presented to the group during a ceremony at the office of the Grenada Tourism Authority in Carriacou on Saturday.
Senior Technical Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Delysia DeCoteau said the ministry is pleased to support the group in recognition of its role in preserving Carriacou’s musical traditions. “When the proposal from the Carriacou Culture Train String Band Group was reviewed, it clearly demonstrated the value of the group’s work, not only in preserving traditional music but also in engaging young people through the Culture Kids programme and contributing to cultural events across the island,” she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government Leanwall Perrotte described the presentation as the handing over of “the tools of storytelling.” “In Carriacou, we do not just play music — we tell our history through strings. From the Big Drum to the Parang Festival, the music of this island is the thread that connects our past to our future,” Perrotte said.
The Carriacou Culture Train String Band Group, formed in May 2019, launched a youth training programme 2 months later, which quickly gained strong community support. However, the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 destroyed approximately 90% of the group’s equipment, forcing the children in the programme to share instruments.
Cultural Officer in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs Anderson Matheson who also leads the group, thanked the ministry for responding to their call for assistance. “As we train the next generation of musicians, it is important that they have the instruments needed to learn and continue passing on our culture,” he said.
Musical Director Neal Matheson also commended the ministry for its quick response to the request for support. “We are very grateful for this gesture and for helping our young people continue to learn and preserve our string band music,” he said.
Community Tourism Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, Servando Smith, who presented the instruments, expressed hope that the donation will support the continued preservation and promotion of Carriacou’s rich musical heritage.
The Community Tourism Grant Funding Project was established to support community-based tourism initiatives across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, helping to strengthen tourism at the community level while improving livelihoods.
Ministry of Tourism
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