NAPA auditorium to be named after Kitch

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is honouring Calypso legend, Lord Kitchener, nearly 11 years after his death. It is naming the public auditorium of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) the Aldwyn Roberts, Lord Kitchener Auditorium.

Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston Peters will unveil a plaque Friday to commemorate the event at the renaming ceremony.

In an official statement Peters said: “Renaming of the auditorium in honour of Lord Kitchener is a fitting tribute to a great calypsonian and entertainer who was instrumental in putting calypso on the world map and, who created some of the best known and loved music for pan in the country.

“His name on the auditorium will serve as a lasting symbol of the important contribution he made to the art form,” Peters said.

Kitch's calypso career spanned about 62 years, during which time he founded the the Calypso Revue Tent. He lived in England for a while and was one of the first artistes to take calypso to the world stage.

Kitch died in 2000 at the age of 78.