AN event aimed at bringing an official end to Carnival 2018 will be held on Saturday (July 21) at the Castries Constituencies Council Saturday night event near the Castries Waterfront.
The event, dubbed Carnival Monarchs 2018, will see the coming together of all winners of all the events held under the Carnival 2018 umbrella.
The event will be jointly hosted by the CCC and Events St. Lucia, the company responsible for hosting national cultural and entertainment events.
While it is still unclear where the money for hosting the event will come from the CCC is hoping that this event will become the event to officially sign off on carnival each year.
The coming together of all the carnival winners of the various sections of carnival is all part of efforts on the part of the committee responsible for the CCC’s Saturday night event in Castries to get more people interested in the Saturday night event in the city.
The July 21 event has the backing of the calypso tents as explained by the tents representative Cecil Charles.
According to Charles, bringing all the winners of carnival together started off as a small idea and grew into a big one which has since pleased many people including the calypsonians.
Meanwhile Castries City Mayor Peterson Francis has pledged support for the July 21 event through a proposed partnership with the Events Company of St. Lucia.
As a result of this partnership there will be an increase in City Police patrols during carnival’s parade of the bands and Castries City being brightly outfitted ahead of the festival.
Mayor Francis says his support for arts and culture is aimed at ensuring that St. Lucia carnival receives the due recognition it merits since St. Lucia’s music now penetrates the ear of the world.
“It is not only providing an avenue to showcase Saint Lucia`s multiculturalism, but creating the right environment for masqueraders and members of the public to feel the vibes. The spotlight of the global entertainment industry is now on the island and we need to make our presence felt more than ever,’’ said Mayor Francis.
He says that the three million dollar investment into the industry is ideal, in addition to the hard-work, energy and vibrancy which Culture Minister Hon. Fortuna Belrose brings to the table.
“However, more support is necessary from corporate St. Lucia to grow the festival. We need to create a carnival brand that is unique and a cut above the rest,’’ Francis said.
Speaking to the collaboration, Mr. Thomas Leonce, CEO of Events Company of St. Lucia lauded Mayor Francis and his office for their support.
“What the Mayor has done shows a great level of support for culture, which builds the elements of an outstanding product. This alliance will give life to the carnival atmosphere and we thank him immensely,” Leonce said.
Mayor Francis gave his commitment that his office will continue to stand firm in supporting the development of arts and culture.
