By Clive Bacchus
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Traditional carnival events that usually attract hundreds of participants and spectators, like Jouvert, the Grand Parade, Pageants, and Las lap jams are being replaced with virtual events for Sugar Mas 49, this year’s carnival celebrations.
Minister of Culture Jonel Powell confirmed the changes to this year’s events on Friday on the St. Kitts Nevis National Carnival Committee’s Facebook page.
“.. having considered the health and safety of the citizens and residents of the Federation, as well as the unpredictability of the pandemic, the committee with the approval of the Cabinet has made the decision to cancel traditional events for this year’s national Carnival which would attract mass gatherings such as all pageants, Jouvert, Grand Parade and Las lap celebrations, ” Powell announced.
He contended that Carnival was created to highlight music, art, and folklore in an effort to unite people and this year’s activities will not disappoint.
“This new virtual format will allow the St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Committee to showcase our unique Carnival product to our citizens and residents and a more diverse and wide-ranging global audience”, he said while stating that a schedule of activities will be announced shortly that will include aspects of Christmas festivities.
“We look forward to presenting Sugar Mas 49 in its new format to Carnival lovers locally, regionally, and internationally in a way in which it has never been done before and God willing celebrate our 50th in grand style in 2021, ” Powell concluded.
