The National Carnival Commission (NCC) formally launches Carnival 2011 Saturday at the Queens Park Savannah.
Multicultural Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters told reporters Friday the government is giving the NCC a budget of about $120 million for the national festival. The previous Manning administration invested the same amount in Carnival last year.
This year Carnival is moving back to the Savannah after a three-year absence. Former Prime Minister Patrick manning had banned the festival from its traditional venue, hoping to construct a new carnival centre. The 2011 theme is "Back to D Savannah".
Read the story: Carnival returns to the Savannah for 2011; PP gov't planning People's Band
Speaking at a media briefing Friday Peters said Carnival is important as an industry that extends beyond the shores of Trinidad and Tobago, adding that “this factor must be capitalised to ensure that we maximise the financial viability of Carnival."
He added that the local creative economy and the national economy by extension will benefit from a successful Carnival 2011.
“The world is eagerly awaiting the launch of the event that has placed our nation on the world map as a global cultural destination of choice,” Peters said and promised 2011 one of the biggest and best Carnivals ever in 2011.
He said he expects many improvements over past years, with greater emphasis on producing a higher quality event that will generate profits for both the creative economy and national economy.
“Greater incentives must be injected into Carnival to re-ignite the presence of traditional characters like the Minstrels, Jab Molassie, Pierrot Grenade, Midnight Robbers, Burrokeet, Bookman, Dame Lorraine, Fancy Indians and others.
"I am very interested in restoring the glory of old time mas as it used to be. Our traditional characters have been one of the elements of our Carnival that distinguishes us from all other carnivals. It is our duty to protect our cultural legacy of Carnival for future generations," he said.
NCC Chairman Kenny De Silva said the Minister "is well versed and experienced in whatever is required to raise the bar of culture throughout TT.”
He thanked Peters for moving carnival back to the Savannah and for seeking to bring back traditional characters.
Multicultural Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters told reporters Friday the government is giving the NCC a budget of about $120 million for the national festival. The previous Manning administration invested the same amount in Carnival last year.
This year Carnival is moving back to the Savannah after a three-year absence. Former Prime Minister Patrick manning had banned the festival from its traditional venue, hoping to construct a new carnival centre. The 2011 theme is "Back to D Savannah".
Read the story: Carnival returns to the Savannah for 2011; PP gov't planning People's Band
Speaking at a media briefing Friday Peters said Carnival is important as an industry that extends beyond the shores of Trinidad and Tobago, adding that “this factor must be capitalised to ensure that we maximise the financial viability of Carnival."
He added that the local creative economy and the national economy by extension will benefit from a successful Carnival 2011.
“The world is eagerly awaiting the launch of the event that has placed our nation on the world map as a global cultural destination of choice,” Peters said and promised 2011 one of the biggest and best Carnivals ever in 2011.
He said he expects many improvements over past years, with greater emphasis on producing a higher quality event that will generate profits for both the creative economy and national economy.
“Greater incentives must be injected into Carnival to re-ignite the presence of traditional characters like the Minstrels, Jab Molassie, Pierrot Grenade, Midnight Robbers, Burrokeet, Bookman, Dame Lorraine, Fancy Indians and others.
"I am very interested in restoring the glory of old time mas as it used to be. Our traditional characters have been one of the elements of our Carnival that distinguishes us from all other carnivals. It is our duty to protect our cultural legacy of Carnival for future generations," he said.
NCC Chairman Kenny De Silva said the Minister "is well versed and experienced in whatever is required to raise the bar of culture throughout TT.”
He thanked Peters for moving carnival back to the Savannah and for seeking to bring back traditional characters.
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| Minister Peters tries his hand on a tassa drum |
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