Carnival 2015 opens “successfully”

A Kalinago group with their Tet Mas parading at the opening of Carnival 2015
A Kalinago group with their Tet Mas parading at the opening of Carnival 2015

The streets of Roseau came alive on Saturday as Mas Domnik 2015 “The Real Mas” officially opened.

The Real Mas is being celebrated under the theme, “Se la vie nou”- it is our lives; it is a true reflection of what carnival celebrations mean to us in Dominica.

Patrons turned out in large numbers to witness the parade of costumes, bands and carnival pageant contestants, among others.

The parade began on the Pottersville Savannah and culminated on the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in Roseau.

“There is a great deal of excitement in Roseau; the opening parade was a colourful and creative spectacle and it gives us the indication of what to expect in terms of bands, floats, pageants for the Real Mas in February,” Acting Chief Cultural Officer, Jacinta David said while addressing hundreds patrons at the opening ceremony held on the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard.

“I am pleased at the participation of bands from various parts of the island and in particular the schools, the traditional bands, the sensay bands all bring out elements which make our carnival original and unique,” David said.

She mentioned the Kalinago contingent with their colourful Tete Mas which was created at a special training workshop held two weeks ago and organized by the Division of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Kalinago affairs, the Kalinago council and DDA.

“The workshop was held in an effort to train more persons in making these costumes, to explore the use of a wider range of materials in the design and making of these costumes and to revitalize the Tete Mas tradition in the Kalinago territory,” she explained.

“We look forward in seeing the traditional bands on parade at the Ole Mas festival at Delices on February 4 th,” David said and invited everyone to visit Delices to participate in the Ole Mas experience as well as other activities planned for this year’s Carnival celebrations.

She encouraged everyone to have an enjoyable, peaceful and crime and violence-free carnival.

“Carnival is our life…so let us continue therefore to celebrate life, celebrate our culture, celebrate our creativity, celebrate our identity and let us celebrate Carnival the Real Mas with joy and peace,” she urged and added, “In this way we will ensure that our Carnival remains the most original, peaceful, enjoyable and the Real Mas of the Caribbean. In this way more and more people will want to visit Dominica to participate in this great experience.”

The Acting Chief Cultural Officer also commended the Dominica Festival Committee (DFC) for what she described as their dedication and hard work in the planning and organizing of the Real Mas 2015.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), Colin Piper, described the activity as a resounding success. “Events such as these are very important as they attract visitors to the island and with that come economic activities in the form of hotel bookings, car rentals and grocery shopping,” he said.

“There is also spending by residents as well as they join a band, host a party or fete or attend a show,” the DDA boss pointed out.

He noted further that carnival takes on special prominence because it is the first of the three major events on Dominica’s festival calendar which are staged each year. The others are Jazz and Creole which will be celebrated from May 17th to the 24th and World Creole Music Festival which is carded for October 30th to November 1st.

“We will stage some activities in the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Forecourt where we attempt to bring some of the Carnival spirit to the end of the work day and work week,” Piper announced. “All this we expect to improve the quality of carnival celebrations to help generate additional revenues and will help us further invest in Carnival product and provide great return on investments and partners.”

Piper also called on Dominicans to turn out in large numbers to support the carnival events.

“As you revel, as you fete, as you celebrate at this time, do it with authenticity and quality so residents and visitors alike are satisfied,” Piper urged.

Mayor of Roseau, Irene John joined in the appeal to Dominicans to enjoy themselves in responsible manner during carnival.

“I exhort each and every one of you to behave as brothers and sisters and to be each other’s keeper…so that at the end of this year’s celebrations we can truly say in one resounding voice as the Calypsonian Chris B say, Dominica nice,” the Mayor said.

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4 Comments

  1. The Facts
    January 26, 2015

    How time flies. Carnival already?
    We recently celebrated Christmas and it is now the carnival season. After that, we know what follows, Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent. :lol:
    As it is stated, the weather cooperated. It was a beautiful, bright and sunny day.
    The Acting Chief Cultural Officer and the Mayor said it all and extremely well.
    I cannot add much to this except to state, have a clean, enjoyable and safe fun leading up to the Carnival days and on those days.
    Another saying, “It is not what you do but how you do it.” Therefore, take care.

  2. yesterday
    January 26, 2015

    Successful????? The only thing it was successful in was in showing how mediocre we are as a country especially in 2015. Pure nonsense.

  3. Disappointed
    January 26, 2015

    Successfulully? Awa. There was parade yes but a successful CARNIVAL parade? I don’t think so.

  4. January 25, 2015

    Well done Dominicans especially the youths

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