Lima Calbio to Represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 2011 Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria
Port of Spain, Trinidad – After a 40 year hiatus since the 1972 debut of carnival in Seychelles, the festivities have returned and Trinidad Soca darling Lima Calbio will be in the midst of the celebrations; waving the red, white, and black. Carnaval International de Victoria, under the theme “a melting pot of cultures”, promises to showcase national carnivals from around the world and Lima will be performing at the March 4th-6th 2011 event representing the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get to Seychelles and represent my country”, says Lima, who was a part of the Trinidad and Tobago trade mission to China, Korea and India in 2007. “Since the trip to India, I have had a growing interest in visiting that part of the world. I am just ecstatic that I can do that and be on stage representing T&T and even the region too as I am not aware of any other performer from another Caribbean island.”
Comprising 155 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Republic of Seychelles is a pepperpot of culture. These islands, east of mainland Africa and northeast of Madagascar, have no indigenous population; with the largest ethnic groups being those of African, French, Indian and Chinese descent. The official languages are French and English and a French-based Seychellois Creole. It is against this backdrop of diversity that Carnaval International de Victoria is being held.
Lima Calbio
Lima will perform the three days of carnival, commencing with the opening ceremony on Friday, March 4th. The launch of Carnaval International de Victoria will take place in the capital Victoria and will see many dignitaries, invited guests and representatives of participating countries. On carnival day, March 5th, a costumed Lima will perform on a float which will parade around the city streets expected to be lined with jubilant locals and tourists alike. When the procession ends, local revelers will congregate in Victoria in costumed bacchanal. The last day of the festival is carded as a family fun day and will take place at Roche Caiman Stadium. Lima will join other international artists and their Seychellois counterparts in entertaining patrons.
Her trip to Seychelles was through the efforts of Caribbean Exposé who last year booked her for Ip-Art Festival in Ipswich England. She returns there again this summer. Lima also has plans to work on a Christmas album and record songs for the 2012 carnival season. Known for her infectious personality, Lima has dazzled fans—whether performing to playback or with bands such as Blue Ventures, Atlantic, Arrow’s Multinational Force from Montserrat, Antigua’s Baygon Band (now Burning Flames), or Byron Lees Dragonaires (formerly Byron Lee and the Dragonaires) , Jamaica’s oldest Soca Band. She has been featured on compilations such as Soca Gold and Kassav’s Difé Soupapé. In 2004 Lima won an International Soca Award for her hit song “Di Garden”.
Lima will soon leave Trinidad for performances in the Cayman Islands and New York. She will fly from JFK International Airport on Tuesday March 1st, and stop in Dubai before arriving in Seychelles.
