T&T’s Terri Lyons has been crowned Montserrat Carnival’s Queen of Queens Monarch for the third time with an impressive 1,268 points.
“I am feeling blessed. I am feeling honoured. I am feeling loved. I mean, it’s a different feeling when you have a whole different island that actually loves you also. So, it shows not just the love, but the accomplishment. That they actually recognise the hard work that you put in and appreciate it. So, I feel really grateful.”
At her Monarch interview, the now three-time Montserrat Monarch Queen explained Calypso’s significant roots in Caribbean history and other musical genres, like Soca and reggae.
“Because it’s history. Calypso is the mother of Soca. Calypso has a rooted history, not just for Trinidad, not just for Montserrat, not just for the Caribbean. It’s the world. Because they used to use calypso long time, the slaves used to use calypso in order to communicate. Some of the slaves were illiterate, so they would use calypso in order to teach, carry on teachings, or mock the master or use calypso in order to let each other know how to escape. So, calypso is very important. That is why I does always tell people to respect the spark that start the flame.”
Ms. Lyons added that on her return home, she hopes to, once again, make Calypso Monarch history and keep the spark lit by giving back.
“I’m not only just winning it. The meaning behind it is that I’m the fifth woman to ever win the Calypso Monarch since 1939. So, it’s not just important, it’s a historical moment I’ve made in my life. I believe winning crown is not it alone, you have to spread what you learn. I don’t believe in dying with your knowledge. The culture can’t continue if you die with your knowledge.”
Ms. Lyons wasn’t the only Trinidadian to dominate. Karene Asche came in second with 1,246 points.