THE BRIAN LARA PROMENADE

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell            -The Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Off great importance to the Caribbean Region is the game of cricket as it relates to Caribbean History (Stoddart 1995). Initially, cricket was a European sport, but Colonial intervention and slavery, has caused an evolution as the sport is now the most popular game within the Caribbean region. Cricket stands for accomplishment and victory within the region where the West Indies cricket team showed the capability of playing the sport just as well as the Europeans, and has made History with the achievements gained. Historical achievements are elements which contribute to the design of urban spaces, as sculptures are created to represent and remind society about the events of the past that has shaped the history and culture of the country today.

On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, a West Indian icon to be remembered and honored, Brian Charles Lara was a phenomenal batsman who once played on the West Indies cricket team. He holds the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, with 501 not out and is the only batsman ever to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century and a quintuple century in first class games. Many international awards have been presented to this incredible sportsman and in honor of Brian Lara’s sports achievements; a statue of him was built on a promenade and was named the Brian Lara Promenade which is a walkway on Independence Square.  The bronze statue designed by Bronze Depot Inc. is an iconic semblance of Brian Lara and is openly displayed to the general public within the urban space of Independence Square, Port of Spain.

Remarks by Ambassador Irwin Larocque, secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stated, “Our Region has produced several world renowned sportsmen and women: Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell Brown, Kirana James, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul among others.” Since the emergence of this statue, it gives the population the idea that the development of sports and youth development is an important aspect in the Caribbean. Brian Charles Lara world record has not been broken to date which explains the reason he is in the execution of the bat position on top of the world.  

The success and victory that cricket represents, is a powerful social force. It is a force which unifies different islands because of the love of the game which brings forth togetherness. Within the urban city, Port of Spain, the sculpture has contributed to the development of the city as the architectural design elicits open space within the city. The statue of the West Indian icon in cricket is used to bring society together on the promenade for recreation as it represents unity.  The promenade and by extension the Independence Square have received expansion with the addition of  the green open space, benches, bins, and decorations of light poles and is a great place for open events. As a result, this open space is designed to accommodate citizens as it is used as a form of relaxation and for ‘Trinbagonians’, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago where they go to ‘lime’, that is to socialize.

References:

Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM),. 2012. The Twenty-Second Meeting Of The Council For Human And Social Development (Cohsod) On Youth Culture And Sports.  

Stoddart, Brian. 1995. "Cricket and colonialism in the English-speaking Caribbean to 1914: towards a cultural analysis." Liberation Cricket: West Indies Cricket Culture : 9-32.