The Pan Association has been given until the end of Thursday to sign the Panorama contract or face the event’s removal from this year’s carnival calendar.
This ultimatum, issued by Elizbeth Makhoul, Chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, follows a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The Pan Association is demanding an increase in financial contribution from last year’s $300,000 to $400,000.
The Festivals Commission has countered with an offer of $330,000 and 4000 tickets, allowing the Pan Association to keep the ticket sales proceeds.
Here is the letter:
Antigua Barbuda FESTIVALS COMMISSION
26th June 2024
Mr. Patrick Johnson
President
Antigua Barbuda Pan Association – ABPA
C/o Ministry of Creative Industries
Old Parham Road
St. John’s, Antigua
Dear President Johnson,
Ref: ABPA CONTRACT SIGNING DEADLINE
Please be advised that the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has directed the Antigua Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) to notify you and the Antigua Barbuda Pan Association (ABPA) regarding our obligations to the 2024 Panorama Title Sponsors and the forthcoming contract signing set for this Friday, June 28th.
It is imperative that the ABPA executes the 2024 Panorama Contract by the end of business on Thursday, June 27th, 2024. The contract is ready for signature at the Ministry of Creative Industries Head Office, situated on Old Parham Road, above the Inet and KFC Building. Our Permanent Secretary, Ms. Sharon Stevens, will be present during business hours to oversee the signing and ensure all necessary parties are in attendance.
Failure to have the contract signed by the close of business tomorrow, June 27th, 2024, at 4:30 pm, will signal the end of our 2024 Carnival negotiations, with the understanding that Panorama will not be a part of 2024 festivities. We urge your prompt attention to this matter to expedite the signing process, allowing us to focus on the successful planning and execution of our upcoming Carnival festivities.
Yours in Pan,
(Signed)
Amb. Elizabeth Makhoul
Chairperson,
Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission
Cc: The Cabinet – Antigua and Barbuda
Hon. Daryll S. Matthew – Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries
Sen. Shenella Govia – Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries
Ms. Sharon Stevens – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries
Deputy Chairperson – Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission
Mr. Michael Freeland – Director, National Festivals, Festivals Office
Ms. Petley O’Keiffe
Antigua Barbuda FESTIVALS COMMISSION
1st Floor Cecil George-John Building | Corn Alley & Redcliffe Street
St. John’s | Antigua and Barbuda
Office: 1 (268) 462-0194 (Mobile): 1 (268) 727 9201
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They had all the money to spend on free concerts and now they don’t want to pay the Pan Association. Tell them you will take no less than the $400,000. All the ministers making big money and taking tax dollars at will all the while the small man must take bread and cheese.
Stand your ground. Little man must eat too. Govt raise up ABST and think the rest of us can survive. Govt only looking out for itself, now you can do something about it. Nothing stopping the Pan Association from doing their own thing. Raise the funds yourself or put together an event and charge enough to make your $400,000 or more and tell the rest them go kiss your ass.
The Pan Association’s demand for $400K is both unreasonable and unconscionable. No other show for the carnival takes that much to host. In addition, their refusal to assist in the selling of tickets shows that the Association is selfish. Clearly, they are in it for the money and not for the development of the art form. There was a time when Panorama could hardly attract 500 patrons. There is now a boom where that show is one of the better attended shows, and if the Pan Association is not careful we will end up right back there.
@wash an’ Basin you are so correct.
verdict??