In celebration of the nation's 50th Anniversary of Independence the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), in collaboration with the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism, is holding a calypso competition titled, The Lord Brynner Independence Calypso Competition 2012, so named after the calypsonian who won the very first such competition shortly before Independence in 1962.

The final of the competition is scheduled to take place on August 25 at the Grand Stand, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Tickets will cost only $50, which is really a steal of a deal as TUCO expects the most respected calypsonians will participate in the competition. In fact, registration began in May and closes on July 12 with the registration fee also being $50.

The preliminary round begins on July 14 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) from 9 a.m. and will be free to the public. This will continue at the same venue on July 15 also from 9 a.m. and again free to the public. There will be a preliminary in Tobago on Monday 16 at a venue and time to be determined. The lone semifinal will come off at Palms Club, San Fernando from 8 p.m. and the cost here is $50.

The winner of the competition will receive, $500,000, while the calypsonian placing second will get $250,000 and the third place competitor will take home $150,000. There will be ten finalists selected and those placing fourth to tenth will each receive, $50,000. Any national, 18-years-old and over, is eligible to enter and may visit TUCO's head office at Jerningham Avenue, Belmont, for more information.

When Brynner (Kade Simon) won that inaugural run of the Independence Calypso Competition he received a first prize of $1,000 having beaten his 11 opponents which included the Mighty Sparrow who place second and Nap Hepburn who came in third. The final took place on August 15 at what was then the brand new Town Hall in Port of Spain. The following is an excerpt from a verse of Brynner's winning calypso.

Because this is your land, just as well as my land

This is your place and also it is my place

So let we put our heads together

And live like one happy family

Democratically, educationally,

We'll be independently