Republic Bank provides major sponsorship for national festival

Republic Bank is reaffirming its commitment to the Sweetest Summer Festival – Crop Over.

Not only has the bank increased its sponsorship of the annual festival by more than $60 000, but it is deepening its relationship with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) to bring steelpan into various communities.

On Friday, during the launch of the Republic Bank Pan Yard Lime and Pandemonium at Six Roads, St Philip, managing director Anthony Clerk said the company was proud to be a sponsor of the festival for over 20 years.

He said it has been throwing its support behind Crop Over because it benefited the island’s economy considerably, showcasing the talent of young people and developing the arts. He said the festival also creates a platform for many small and medium-sized businesses to thrive and get exposure. 

Clerk said the bank was vested in the growth and development of steel pan as a musical artform and wanted to play a vital part in allowing musicians to have an avenue to express their creativity and earn a living. 

“We are especially happy to assist the NCF in ensuring this artform finds new life in the hearts and minds of musical connoisseurs of all ages,” he said.

This year, the company increased its sponsorship from $85 000 to $150 000.

During the launch, Republic Bank gave a steelpan rendition, which generated loud applause from the audience, who later learned that the staffers had been taught how to play pan over a six-week stint. 

Members of the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra also gave melodic rendition much to the audience’s delight.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts-Reifer said that with the help of the Republic Bank, Pandemonium had arguably become the biggest family-oriented event on the Crop Over calendar and she thanked the company for its support over the years.

She said that the bank will also be helping NCF with a developmental programme to take pan into schools and local communities. 

Pan Yard Lime will be held on July 14 at the NCF carpark while Pandemonium is scheduled for July 16 at the National Botanical Gardens. 

(SZB)