St Pauls Carnival to go virtual
An online event will be held this summer in place of the traditional carnival
St Pauls Carnival is going virtual this summer.
The traditional event has been cancelled because of covid but organisers have now announced an online event instead.
On the same day as the usual carnival - July 3 - it will feature performers from Notting Hill plus the Caribbean islands of St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
Called "Global Carnival: A cultural evolution", it will also feature a panel discussion.
"The Caribbean Carnival’s origins are part of the legacy story of African enslavement and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.," a statement announcing the event reads.
"Borne out of oppression, Carnival became a source of resistance and rebellion which is still alive and well in the modern-day carnival."
The panel discussion will cover topics including:
- What does carnival mean to you?
- How do you prepare for Carnival (both personally and professionally)?
- What stands out most when you go to other Carnivals?
- How do you feel Carnival has changed over the years?
- Why is it important to create space for the younger generation?
The African-Caribbean celebration which was first staged in 1968 takes a year to organise, hence why it cannot go ahead in its usual form this summer.
This will be the second year that the free to attend street event, which attracts 100,000 people, has had to be cancelled.
Executive director of St Pauls Carnival LaToyah McAllister-Jones said: “We’re really excited to play host to what will be an illuminating discussion.
"Whilst there is a golden thread that runs through the traditional carnival; the mas camps, the parade and the engagement of schools and the community, we celebrate how each carnival significantly differs and reflects the community that plays host to it.
"This year, although Carnivals all over the world are unable to come together on the streets, we will keep the spirit of Carnival alive with our friends from London, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago carnivals. We will be maintaining our carnival tradition and strengthening our bonds, in these new days on Zoom and live streaming.”
The online event will start at 5pm on July 3.