Members of the Centre for Afro-panamaic and Caribbean Cultural Studies and Management and the "Pipo Navarro" Foundation have been welcomed by the Minister of Culture, Giselle González Villarrué and his task force to coordinate issues related to law 426 of 26 February 2024 by declaring October 17 as Calipso and Calipsonian Panamanian Day.

The date is in honor of Wilfred Methusiel Berry Gonin, known as Lord Cobra, born at Bastimento Island, Bocas del Toro Province, on October 17, 1932 and referred to as the "King of Calipso."

During the session, Minister González Vllarrué propose to the guests to set up a commission to conduct the activities described in the law passed in February 2024, including management for the design, construction and maintenance of a monument dedicated to the memory of the great Panamanian musicians and calipsonians, icons of the development of this musical genre and that have contributed to the Panamanian identity and recognition.

That Regulation should put in place an association with events that have been referred to this date with a view to encouraging, evaluating, preserving and promoting this unique musical genre of Panama and to honoring those dedicated to interpreting the Panamanian calipso, known as calipsonian, by entities such as the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), the Ministry of Education and municipalities, among others.

The aim of the Act is to stimulate, value, preserve and promote this musical genre in Panama and honor those dedicated to performing the Panamanian calipso, known as calipsonian.