CEO of Discover Dominica Authority, Colin Piper, has called on citizens to participate in this year’s Carnival, because it holds “special meaning,” as the first official entertainment event undertaken by the government since the island was affected by Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.
“However you choose to participate, that is exactly what we want you to do—we want you to participate. To join in the festivities, and be active… Make sure you take lots of pictures, and post them, so that people know that our culture is alive in the Nature Isle,” Piper said at the official opening of Mas Dominik 2016, under the theme, “The Spirit of the Real Mas”, at Windsor Park Stadium on Saturday evening.
Piper, who received the keys to the city of Roseau, stated that Carnival should be “incident-free, and filled instead with celebration.
Irene John, Mayor of Roseau, who also spoke at the event, reinforced the point that Carnival is not a time, for violence, but instead, a time to make merry.
“Carnival should not be the time when persons go out of their way to harm persons whom they had some misunderstanding with in the past,” she said. “Let us instead use that time for playing Real Mas, and, at the same time, tighten bonds of friendship.”
She urged residents of Roseau and environs to make a special effort to keep their surroundings clean, not only for the Carnival season but at all times.
“I am appealing to everyone living in and around the city, to please manage their waste properly, in order to make the city the type of city that we want it to be—with and without Carnival.”
Meantime, Minister for Trade, Energy, and Employment, Ian Douglas, an admitted “Carnival lover,” described Carnival as an integral part of Dominica’s culture and history, ingrained in every Dominican.
“Carnival is a part of our history… Carnival is a part of our culture. Carnival is a part of our heritage. Carnival embodies and exemplifies who we are as a people—a West Indian people…an independent and free people.
He commended Dominicans for keeping the island’s culture alive, even after the tragedy brought on by Tropical Storm Erika.
“In Dominica, we have embraced our culture, from Independence…right into Carnival… We are resilient people. We are strong people. It is amazing that we have come out of Tropical Storm Erika with a vigor, a vibrancy, and a determination to forge ahead, to build a better Dominica. And, Carnival this year will be better, will be bigger, and will be stronger because we are determined to build a better Dominica.”
Minister for Tourism, Robert Tonge revealed that despite the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, the Government did not reduce the Carnival budget.
“The Government of Dominica continues to be resolute and committed to supporting the Carnival event and many other cultural events. While, in many other large countries, they’d be cutting down expenses, the Government of Dominica saw it fit to not reduce the amount of money they commit towards the hosting of this event,” he said.
Tonge also stated that in an effort to reduce violence this Carnival season, the police will reinforce security.
“I want to commend the Police Department for being ‘on the ball’, and I can assure you that there will be a lot more cameras around Roseau, and there will be a lot more police patrols to ensure that you and our visitors are safe in our beautiful island of Dominica,” the Tourism Minister said.
Piper needs to go…period…we have more talented persons with more vision to head carnival…..we need a “Working” carnival committee…. same talk…Toney man!!!!!…….and still that Government does not give a hoot for the Culture….they lacking too…same talk from the Ministers
What Irene John should be doing is to stop the CHINES from putting their garbage by the roadside and go labass to dump it. Even on the carnival opening parade they were putting garbage by the roadside.
………Piper please come outta dere. You are a failure!! , useless, uninspiring to da bone. Your are systematically killing Tourism and all Festivals with your droning monotone dialogue and poor strategy. I do not see what value you add to the process with your micro managing lack of visionary approach. You are not trusted or respected and it’s clear to see why. Move Bwoy!!
I just there checking mister looking so low energy. Papa God!
Mr Piper is long overdue the man has proven to know absolutely nothing of carnival and festival. Time for positive change and stop blaming our incompetence on ERIKA
This does alarm me. Before you know it we’ll have a red T- shirt band promoting Roosevelt Skerrit. I hope not.
It’s so completely ridiculous, not to mention misguided, for carnival to be incessantly referred to as a tourism product. Tourists do not come to Dominica for carnival !!! They come here for nature and the outdoors. It’s really not that hard to get your head around is it ? Dominica’s carnival, however nice it may be, is not on the same page, nor even in the same chapter, as similar events around the world. Carnival is an event for Dominicans. If others want to come along and enjoy it too, that’s wonderful; but for goodness sake it really is time to stop this nonsensical thinking that people travel all the way here for it. The only exception to this is the diaspora, who use carnival (or Creole) as a time to come and visit family. Please, please. Get a reality check. And given there isn’t a single cruise ship in port on either carnival Monday or Tuesday this year, there will be no overseas visitors on the streets at all.
If you want something to focus on – make it relevant.
Hear, hear. That is a sound and down to earth comment. Let’s clean up Roseau before we talk about anything else for a start.
As far as I know, the govt. doesn’t sponsor Carnival, the people do. They pay for it and the costumes. The govt. can’t even find them a place to store the costumes so that they can be save and reused thus saving money.
Bunch of losers… Both the Minst. Of Tourism and the CEO of DDA must be replaced immediately. Useless.. No forthcoming effective ideas. No new initiatives. No encouragement to anyone, they only care about their so called friends in certain high places and they don’t give a hoot about the struggling person who needs help most. These two should be returned to do what they do best whatever that is . but they should not remain another term in these respective offices, they don’t care about the artform and they don’t have no respect for aspiring minds…… Get rid of them they are doing a lousy job….
Roseau smells…but look at the Minister and Major sitting there like they so proud and have accomplished something
Just look at Pipers posture and style, boring. lack imagination
No bionic. No talent. No drive. I’m productive. Fire piper and tongue two if a kind
Respectfully, all I see are 4 losers….
blah blah blahhhhhhhhhhhh
Doing mor harm than good.
Sigh
CARNIVAL DOES NOT BELONG TO GOVERNMENT or any political party. Keep your hands off.
I hope that Mr. Piper mis-spoke when he said …’ because it holds “special meaning,” as the first official entertainment event undertaken by the government since the island was affected by Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.’
Carnival should not be treated as a government event. It was never meant to be. The time has come for Discover Dominica Authority to provide a grant to the organizers of Carnival and relinquish its hands-on role. This would allow the Authority to focus on promoting Carnival as part of its mandate to promote tourism in DA.
‘ as the first official entertainment event undertaken by the government since the island was affected by Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015″ ? Piper you dreaming man? You forget the big fete we had for Baroness Scottland man. Who sponsored them was it the opposition?
But what I really wanted to comment on is the way politics killing Dominica today. I mean this is the opening of the carnival season, something that usually bring all of us together, but I seeing Piper, I seeing the mayor, I seeing Tonge, I seeing Ian but I not seeing the elected Parl rep for Roseau constituency or any constituency in the Roseau area, since they are all blue?
I hope for God sake it was a mistake by DNO or, the ceremony took place in Portsmouth. I just hope is not Skerrit’s usual politics of division at work once again.
They are the government and they are emphasizing (reminding the people) that Carnival is Dominican – for everyone. It should be enjoyed by all and be free of incidents in addition to keeping their environment clean. There is nothing wrong with that. You should be pleased. Who else do you expect to state that?
BLABLABLA bla bla bla blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Some of you are rude, rude, rude!
Damn it! Is this a carnival or a political party propaganda event? Guys, leave it out already. All during the year we don’t hear from the mayor for instance but now she is pipping up, somebody pulling her string. Now government wants to claim the carnival.
Let’s have carnival ourselves and that has nothing to do with government. You guys make me sick to puke.
Talking heads doing what they do best – talk and more talk.