The United Nations (UN’s) World Steelpan Day is observed every year on 11 August to highlight the cultural and historical importance of the Steelpan, the National Musical Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), and its role in promoting sustainable development.
- 11 August, 2025 marks the 3rd edition of World Steelpan Day.
Exam Hints:
- Event: World Steelpan Day 2025
- When? August 11(annually)
- Edition: 3rd
- 1st observance: 11 August 2023
- Supported by: UNESCO & UNGA
- Pan Month: Celebrated every August by Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C. since 1992
- Pan month Theme: From Roots to Resonance: Echoing Across Generations and Nations.
About World Steelpan Day:
Proposal : In 2022, the Government of T&T formally approached the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with a proposal to designate 11 August as World Steelpan Day, to be observed annually from 2023 onward.
Adoption : On 24 July 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/77/316, officially proclaiming 11 August of every year as World Steelpan Day. The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 84 UN member states.
Inaugural Celebration: The first-ever World Steelpan Day was observed on 11 August 2023.
PAN Month:
Celebration: Since 1992, Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C., headquartered in Port of Spain(PoS) (T&T), has celebrated Pan Month each August to honor the occasion when the steelpan was officially declared the National Musical Instrument of T&T.
Theme: The 2025 edition is being observed under the theme:“From Roots to Resonance: Echoing Across Generations and Nations.”
About Steelpan:
Origin: The steelpan, created in the early 1930s in T&T, is the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century and remains a symbol of national pride for T&T.
Instrument: Traditionally crafted from a steel drum or container, the steelpan is a percussion instrument belonging to the idiophone family. It is also called a pan or steel drum.
Declaration: In 1992, the government of T&T declared the steelpan as the country’s national musical instrument.
Legislation: In 2024, T&T Parliament unanimously passed the National Musical Instrument Bill, officially granting legal recognition to the steelpan as the national instrument.
Cultural Role: The steelpan became the main percussion instrument in annual Trinidadian carnival festivities, reflecting its deep cultural roots.
Milestones and Recognition:
UNESCO Recognition (2019):Port of Spain(PoS), capital of T&T, was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Music for promoting creativity and sustainable urban development through the steelpan.
- PoS became the 6th Creative City in the Caribbean, joining Nassau (Bahamas), Jacmel (Haiti), Havana (Cuba), San Domingo (Dominican Republic), and Kingston (Jamaica).
First International Appearance (1951): The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), the first steel band, was formed to participate in the Festival of Britain in June 1951.
- TASPO became the first group to take the steelpan worldwide.
National Competition Launch (1963): Panorama, the first national steelpan competition in T&T, was inaugurated in 1963 and remains a major cultural event.
2025 World Steelpan Day Events
Main Celebrations in PoS: Included an Ancestral Walk (Piccadilly Street), Formal Celebration at Woodford Square with performances by major steel orchestras, and sale of steelpan merchandise.
World Steelpan Festival 2025: The 2nd World Steelpan Festival was held in T&T..
All Stars’ 90th Anniversary Celebration in Times Square: Highlighted the international reach of the steelpan, with TTT News covering the event as part of World Steelpan Day festivities.
About Trinidad and Tobago (T&T):
Prime Minister(PM) – Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Capital – Port of Spain (PoS)
Currency – T&T Dollar(TTD)
