Cultural consultant Alywn Bully is reluctantly reiterating suggestions for changing Dominica’s carnival date.
Bully, who has spoken extensively on the matter over the years, says he is very aware that the traditionalists want Dominica’s annual carnival kept at its current date ahead of the Lenten season leading into Easter.
However he says they are ignoring likely benefits of moving the carnival possibly to the summer, a move he argues would make Dominica carnival bigger, better, and a major economic force.
He is advocating that the change be tried for a three year period after which the success or failure of that undertaking could be properly assessed.
Bully’s key reason for promoting the change is that Dominica carnival would no longer have to compete with Trinidad and Tobago’s bigger carnival.
According to him the benefits are many, including a much greater influx of Martiniquans and Guadeloupeans to the Dominica carnival.
He says the larger numbers of visitors would include people from the OECS countries who at the moment by-pass Dominica and head instead for the Trinidad carnival.
Cultural Consultant Bully says a change of date would likely see more people from the diaspora coming in for the event, while there would also be much more sponsorship of carnival activities.
“If after three years it doesn’t work then we go back to the original date,” he says in response to those who want the traditional carnival date maintained.
so u mean to tell me dey want to change de date…. well excuuuuuuuse meeee…. i do not agree. first of all stop comparing dominica to trinidad. Trinidad is a bigger country with a bigger population and much more bands obviously they will have it for a week because they cannot display everything in two days.Dominicans enjoy their carnival and so does the tourists so if u want to destroy carnival u will get bloze. What you pips need to do is organize the carnival better
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Beginning July would be ideal. All the quarter finals and other shows could be held during this one month. As long as there is proper planning things could work out. No need for activities to drag on. The people who come to the shows would commit to this one time of coming. Most important is that the children would not be interrupted in their school work.
dr mr bully it not making any sence of having carnival at summer time cuz many people travling at this kind of time leave the carnival date how it be don’t change the dates……
Dear Mr.Alwin Bully & Carnival Committee:
Please allow me to express my views on the change of Carnival date that has been a concern for a few years now.
As a concerned Dominican citizen, I don’t think putting the carnival in the summer is gonna make a huge difference if the carnival committee stick to the same planning. Putting it in the summer is not gonna make it AUTOMATICALLY popular, profitable or more extravagant.
I think that carnival should be promoted the same way our World Creole Music Festival is being promoted. Members of the Carnival Committee, should go to the neighboring islands months prior to carnival and build the awareness. I also believe that the main reason why the streets of Roseau are not filled on the costume parade day is because we do not tackle the schools and villages.One way we should tackle the schools and villages is that we should have a CARNIVAL AWARENESS MONTH and this should be in the month of MAY.An official letter should be sent to all schools in Dominica and village councils asking for their participation in Carnival. All schools might not take part but I know there will be more taking part than those that will not. The schools can set up carnival committee: having an executive board, and those who are interested will join the committee. The committee and members will decide on what costumes they are gonna be wearing. From May to Carnival is 7 months and within this 7 months schools can raise funds that will help in purchasing costumes.The village council should have an official meeting with the villagers and those who are interesting will set up a carnival committee. Schools and village councils can seek funds from the different Dominica Associations in the Diaspora. I live abroad and I will be more than willing to help.
So my personal strategy to make carnival successful is tackling the schools and villages.I believe if every or most schools and villages in Dominica take part in the costume parade the streets of Roseau will be more packed and vibrant.
So we really need to plan ahead to make carnival successful.Our Carnival is unique and I don’t think we are competing with Trinidad. Trinidad has a different culture and I don’t think Trinidadians are gonna come to our carnival in the summer.We should promote our carnival in the other Caribbean islands, united states, Canada, England..Dominicans living abroad will come and their foreign friends who are interesting will come along..
Mr. Alwin Bully I hope that you take my idea into consideration. I love my country very much and I would really like to see a change in our costume parade in the city. The idea of tackling the schools and villages and also the Carnival Awareness month is a great idea.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE A DIFFERENCE NEXT YEAR GOD SPARE!!
THANK U DNO FOR NOT POSTING MY COMMENT!!!
Bully is just trying to make a name for himself.
BULLY don’t need to make a name for himself you donut, his name is already part and parcel of Dominica’s history and independence!!!
Anyhow…it makes economic sense – and economics is where it’s at!
THE DATE SHOULD STAY AS IT IS, CARNIVAL SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK FROM MONDAY TO SUNDAY, IN THE CARNIVAL WEEK WENDESDAY SHOULD BE A DAY OF REST THEN BACK TO THE ACTION. IF CHANGED TO SUMMER LET THE IT BE AN ENTIRE WEEK ALSO.
Dear Mr.Alwin Bully & Carnival Committee:
Please allow me to express my views on the change of Carnival date that has been a concern for a few years now.
As a concerned Dominican citizen, I don’t think putting the carnival in the summer is gonna make a huge difference if the carnival committee stick to the same planning. Putting it in the summer is not gonna make it AUTOMATICALLY popular, profitable or more extravagant.
I think that carnival should be promoted the same way our World Creole Music Festival is being promoted. Members of the Carnival Committee, should go to the neighboring islands months prior to carnival and build the awareness. I also believe that the main reason why the streets of Roseau are not filled on the costume parade day is because we do not tackle the schools and villages.One way we should tackle the schools and villages is that we should have a CARNIVAL AWARENESS MONTH and this should be in the month of MAY.An official letter should be sent to all schools in Dominica and village councils asking for their participation in Carnival. All schools might not take part but I know there will be more taking part than those that will not. The schools can set up carnival committee: having an executive board, and those who are interested will join the committee. The committee and members will decide on what costumes they are gonna be wearing. From May to Carnival is 7 months and within this 7 months schools can raise funds that will help in purchasing costumes.The village council should have an official meeting with the villagers and those who are interesting will set up a carnival committee. Schools and village councils can seek funds from the different Dominica Associations in the Diaspora. I live abroad and I will be more than willing to help.
So my personal strategy to make carnival successful is tackling the schools and villages.I believe if every or most schools and villages in Dominica take part in the costume parade the streets of Roseau will be more packed and vibrant.
So we really need to plan ahead to make carnival successful.Our Carnival is unique and I don’t think we are competing with Trinidad. Trinidad has a different culture and I don’t think Trinidadians are gonna come to our carnival in the summer.We should promote our carnival in the other Caribbean islands, united states, Canada, England..Dominicans living abroad will come and their foreign friends who are interesting will come along..
Mr. Alwin Bully I hope that you take my idea into consideration. I love my country very much and I would really like to see a change in our costume parade in the city. The idea of tackling the schools and villages and also the Carnival Awareness month is a great idea.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE A DIFFERENCE NEXT YEAR GOD SPARE!!
PEACE!!
Dominica’s carnival is unique and should remain as such. There are some things which are sacred to a culture and tradition and are not for sale, carnival is one of them. Carnival as it is now has meaning for many and can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life or class. Using carnival with the focus on commercialism will take away the ability for the average Dominican to participate as is evident in places like Trinidad and Brazil. In these places, it is clear that it’s those who have certain body type or attributes that are highlighted in the parades. One has to be slim well-toned and built. Also it is the middle-upper class and foreigners that make up the bands.
It goes without saying but I will make mention of the significant difference in population between Dominica and these countries. Then we have to consider access. Dominica as a destination is still problematic. One can get direct flights or convenient flight schedules to get to these countries and at a much lower cost. Dominica is not a known destination because we are fairly new in the tourism business so regardless of change in date many still do not know we exist. Most people who go to Trinidad and Brazil are regulars who are very much satisfied with these places as their choice and are not willing to change that.
The idea of changing the dates for carnival in order to accommodate people from Guadeloupe and Martinique is beyond ridiculous. They are the ones to include us in their plans. When you factor in all of the above, changing carnival date is not the answer to entice visitors. Proper planning and organization before and during the carnival season is imperative.
An aggressive promotional effort that includes hotelier’s all-inclusive packages is needed. Hoteliers cannot sit on in the corner as stakeholders and put the onus on carnival organizers to do all the work. That being said we need a collaborative effort by all Dominican businesses in improving carnival. Many of the ‘well to do’ businesses enjoying profits from the local consumers but are reluctant to give back to the community. Such businesses need to be challenged to get involved. Dominica’s tourism sector also needs to play a significant role in carnival promotion.
Carnival should be considered a Dominican event not a C.O.C event, a tourism ministry, or business industry event and as such all Dominicans, have a part to play to make it safe and successful and to respect it for what it is, a part of a strong religious tradition, and social event that marks our freedom from slavery……
IF IT WORKS DO NOT FIX IT !IT WILL BE HOTTER IN SUMMER .IF WE ARE THINKING ABOUT COMPETITION ,THERE IS MORE COMPETION OF ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES DURING SUMMERALL ALL OVER THAT ARE BETTER ORGANIZED AND PROMOTED.
WE NEED BETTER PLANNING AND BETTER PROMOTION.I HEAR THAT IN BRAZIL AND TRINIDAD PLANNERS BEGIN A WHOLE YEAR IN ADVANCE WHILE THE CURRENT EVENT IS GOING ON .THEY ALSO PROMOTE THE NEXT CANIVAL TO VISITORS FOR THE NEXT YEAR DURING THAT CANIVAL TIME.ITS ALL ABOUT BETTER MARKETING AND PROMOTION .FOR BOTH CANIVAL AND CREOL FESTIVAL. SELL ! SELL! SELL !YOU MUST SELL WHAT YOU HAVE
Come on u people. Let’s back track a bit. Wat has happened in the past with T/dad to now? They have weathered the storm over the years and survived and continues to do so.
Its all about planning and marketing the package. Mr Bully of all peoples as a consultant should take a Q from dat.
Between Feb and Oct of each year are efforts put into the planning of carnival? What are the fringe events that T/dad has that we could take advantage of to help subsidise and sustain the two events of carnival and creole fest, so that we are not overburdening the various business houses and sponsors.
We cant blame it on the way the season falls. That has been so from time and has succeeded in the past.
As i see it, wen we opt for the change to summer, there are too many countries and other islands with their carnicval at that time as well so we might have that to contend with.
We have to set priorities right. Keep a post mortem and review, right after the two main events and develop a year long plan so as to maximise the opportunities to market and advertise the creole fest and carnival ever month within that year.
Mr Bully no trial change of date or permanent change will do it. Plan well and execute ur plan with a good team as was done before. We have to be more proactive than reactive in our planing. That goes for all stake holders of Govt. and the private sector.
PLAN TO HAVE BANNERS AND FLYERS .EVERY DAY VISITORS COME TO DOMINICA BY PLANE AND BOAT BUT WE HAVE NO BANNERS AT THE PORTS OF ENTRY.WE GIVE OUT NO FLYERS DURING DEPARTURE.CANIVAL BROADCAST CAN BE HEARD ON THE RADIOS THROUGH THE INTERNET ,EVERY DAY WE CAN HEAR CALLS TO THE TALK SHOW HOST FROM ALL OVER .CAN THEY NOT TALK ABOUT CANIVAL AND PLAY CALIPSO ALL YEAR ROUND AS A SERVICE.WE HAVE THE RESOURSES BUT WE ARE NOT USUING IT.WE HAVE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT TO FETE.LETS DO IT
It’s not about competing with Trinidad. It’s about ATTRACTING VISITORS from G’Loupe & M’Nique that sorrounds us and have carnival at the same time, and also, diaspora Dominicans who will be able to get away with the kids on vacation.
Remember the GrandBay reunion, in summer ’06 when visitors almost outnumbered locals? IT’S WORTH A TRY!
THE GRANDBAY REUNION WAS WELL PROMOTED .EVEN PEOPLE NOT FROM GRANDBAY WAS TALKING ABOUT IT .
IF WE CHANGE THE DATE WE WILL STILL HAVE TO PROMOTE IT .SO INSTEAD OF SPENDING TO PROMOTE NEW TIME AND DATE PROMOTE THE PRESENT ONE.BE EXPANSIVE PROMOTE IN CHINA BE BOLD PROMOTE IN LATIN AMERICA ,VENEZUELA AND EVEN BRAZIL.PROMOTE IN THE USA AND EUROPE .WE HAVE A LOT OF DOMINICANS ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO CAN GIVE SUPPORT.WE HAVE DOMINICAN ORGANISATIONS IN HOUSTON ,BOSTON ,NEW YORK ;TO NAME A FEW ,THAT CAN HELP
Also it’s a great time to take the kids because school’s out during that time. I wasn’t always a fan of that idea of the switch but I don’t see an issue with trying it. We shouldn’t be so afraid of change, as that is the surest way to miss out on success.
CHANGE BABY CHANGE…get with it Dominica!!!
what he want to compete wit lucia
So now we will have to compete not only against one (Trinidad) but two (Antigua and the BVI) Interesting.
Here we go again…smh
I like where the carnival date is
i think it shud remain.
What they shud change is the number of days…it should be an entire week or atleast consider makin the rest of the week a national holiday
am jus sayin
The question is, do we want to promote carnival as a competitive product as opposed to “the most spontaneous carnival.” If we are going to compete with other carnivals in the region a number of improvements would first have to be made not limited to: costumes bands; parades; additional carnival activities; the structure and timing of the two (2) days jump up. The product would also need to be marketed extensively. However, I am of the firm view that we should focus on improving the carnival first then decide on changing the date, if needs be.
Competing with Trinidad is completely the wrong mindset and is narrow-minded. This is the Dominica carnival, the nature island carnival. We should be enhancing our uniqueness in the region, creating something different that will attract people looking for something colourful and original. Grenada did what Alwin is suggesting and their carnival fell flat. It made no difference. People are not going to come to the Caribbean twice in a year to two carnivals Alwin – they will pick one. So do your job better and create something more original so they choose us, or let someone else have a go at the job.
Are we not in danger of losing our way here? We have to make up our minds whether carnival is first and foremost a commercial enterprise or a cultural one. If it is the first, we really have a battle on our hands to make it profitable given the abundance of competition, offering the same product, regardless of timing. Or we can go back to our roots and celebrate carnival as a feast by the people and for the people, without a profit motive, as it was originally intended. We have to make a clear choice, focus on that decision and plan accordingly.Trying to please everyone is just not possible.
IT IS BOTH COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL .THE MIND SET TO CHANGE THE DATE IS WRONG .WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM TRINIDAD COMING TO DOMINICA AND PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WHO CAN EASIER GO TO TRINIDAD COMING TO DOMINICA.
LOOK AT THE TRANSPORTATION COST AND THE CONVENIENCE . ANY SPECIALS .IN MOST COUNTRIES YOU CAN ONLY GET ONE WEEK VACATION AT A TIME.IF YOU SPEND FOUR DAYS INTRANSIT AND OVERNIGHTING HOW MANY DAYS YOU HAVE LEFT .I WONDER WHERE I CAN GO FOR SUMMER AND NOT WAIST MY TIME AND MONEY.
THEN WHAT ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN THE BANDS ? WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE LOOKING.
JUST A FOLLOW UP .THERE ARE A LOT OF AREAS THAT CAN BE IMPROVED ;BUT CHANGING THE DATE IS NOT ONE OF THEM
THE PREMISE THAT IS WE CHANGE THE DATE THINGS WILL BE OK IS NOT LOGICAL AND IS GIVEN TOO MUCH VALUE
Those in the diaspora from northern climates won’t want a change. We want to go south in the winter. So Mr. Bully quite wrong about that.
You’ll need to get your papers first before you can go anywhere!!! lmao!!!
From reading all the comments there seems to be a fairly even split for or against Alwin’s suggestion. It is apparent that there is even more confusion about the origin of the word carnival and hence the true significance of carnival celebrations. According to the search engine Wikipedia, the origin of the word “Carnival” from “Carne” (meat) or “Carrus” (car) is disputed among historical scholars.
Those that argue for the origin from “carne”, point to variants in Italian dialects that would suggest that the name comes from the Italian “carne levare” or similar, meaning “to remove meat”, since meat is prohibited during Lent. Others propose that the word comes from the Late Latin expression “carne vale”, which means “farewell to meat”, signifying that those were the last days when one could eat meat before the fasting of Lent. The word carne may also be translated as flesh, so suggesting carne vale as “a farewell to the flesh”, a phrase actually embraced by certain Carnival celebrants who encourage letting go of your former (or everyday) self and embracing the carefree nature of the festival.
The “Carrus navalis scholars argue for the origin from the Roman name for the festival of the Navigium Isidis (ship of Isis), where the image of Isis was carried to the sea-shore to bless the start of the sailing season. The festival consisted of a parade of masks following an adorned wooden boat, that would reflect the floats of modern Carnivals. Modern Carnival shares resemblances with the Navigium Isidis
Personally, I don’t care any which way if the date is changed or not. I would sewo same way, same how. For me is “mass, mass,play mass”. However in the interest of balance, here is my contribution to the debate.
Firstly, it would seem that since Carnival celebrations has such significant religious relevance to many people that we keep our carnival in February, March or whichever dates coincides with the Roman Catholic calendar. As a result we will not be interfering with a long time established religious tradition of feasting on the flesh and the alcohol and then getting our sins “ashed “ away on Ash Wednesday followed by the 40 days of atonement through self-reflection and fasting . The Catholic boat will not be rocked, folks who chose this time of year to take a break from the few’di of Europe and North America won’t be denied that opportunity to do so and those who want to remain thinking “inside of the box” will not feel insulted by the proposed date changes.
Secondly, we invent a new festival called “Aguaval” to be held during the summer months. “Agua” is of Portuguese origin and means “water”. By celebrating Aguaval we will be i) recognizing the abundance of water that Mother Nature brings to the Caribbean during the rainy season, ii) acknowledging Dominica as a water country of the Caribbean (365 rivers); iii) using this as a time to “wash away” all things bad and to purify our hearts and mind. That should satisfy the “outside of the box thinkers, as well as all those who lament that they cannot come for carnival will have no more excuses. We can have our aguaqueen, agualypso competitions. Also agua band parade, agua sports , any agua themed events
So it’s time to let the waters (rain, alcohol, sweat, coconut and others) flow during Aguaval. It’s a win/win solution as they say in Dominoes its “doe pahw tou. If you cannot make it for Carnival, then come for Aguaval, or better yet why not come for both. Those in favour?????
first original thought i read on this. still chewing on it. while the sewo sounds nice, you still have to take into consideration the pure economics of the thing…MONEY!! where would people find that kind of money??
Dominica Carnival is just that…DOMINICA CARNIVAL! We are not in competition with anybody. Why try to be what we are not? Just Be Ourselves! We do not have to promote our culture for the outside world. If they are interested… they will come. Why try to turn our tradition around purely for capitalistic reasons? Do we have to play mas for OTHER PEOPLE to enjoy? Seems kind of vain if you ask me… on a global scale! Dominica Carnival is the purest form of self indulging entertainment for its NATIONALS. Why change it mainly for the comfort and benefit of Diasporans and foreigners? Let them go to Brazil. Let them go to Trinidad. Let them go to New Orleans. Let’s not fall into the capitalistic trap under the guise of “modernization”. Why should we paint our house green just because other people will pay to see a green house? I love my house plain – just as it is; in all its natural unadulterated splendour.
MR. BULLY EMBARRASSED A VERY PLAUSIBLE POINT, AND WE SHOULD APPROACH IT, NOT WITH PERSONAL SACARSISM, BUT WITH AN OPEN MIND, READY TO LISTEN TO EXPERIENCE.
MR. BULLY HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS, ONE OF THE FEW GUARDIANS OF OUR CULTURE. HIS RESUME IS TOO LONG TO LIST, SO I DON’T EVEN WANT TO GO THERE, SO AS A MATTER OF REASONING, LET US EXPOSE THE POINT OF ARGUMENT.
” CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS SHOULD BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT DATE”
HIS CONTENTION, WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT, SUGGESTS THAT WE LOOSE THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL OR RATHER ECONOMIC BOOST THAT CAN COME WITH A TIME LIKE THIS,AND TO THINK THAT WE ARE NOT LOOSING OUT BECAUSE WE CELEBRATE AT THE SAME TIME WITH TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AND EVEN BRAZIL IS LUDICROUSNESS.MY REASONING FOR THAT DESERVES A PARTICULAR,SEPARATE DISCUSSION TIME.
I JUST WANT TO HINT ON THE STONE WALL THAT THIS VALUED DOMINICAN WILL ENCOUNTER. TO DO THIS,I MUST BECAUSE OF INCUMBENCY,GO TO THE ROOTS OF CARNIVAL, AND HOW IT BECAME MARRIED TO HE BEGINNING OF THE SO CALLED LENT SEASON.
OUR CARNIVAL IS NOT A MASKARADE, IT IS AN EXPLOSION,A RELEASE OF FRUSTRATION AFTER HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF GAINLINESS LABOR.THROUGH THE DUSK TO DAWN TOIL ON THE COTTON AND CANE PLANTATIONS, THE ECHOS OF THE WIP LASHES, THE RAPES OF OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS, WE STOMACHED. FINALLY, THERE WAS A SEMBLANCE OF FREEDOM. A TIME WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE PALE MAN. A TIME WHERE WE COULD WAKE UP AT WHAT TIME WE CHOOSE, AND OUR WOMEN COULD HAVE SEX WITH THE MEN OF THEIR CHOOSING. WHEN THE RISE OF THE SUN THAT USUALLY SIGNIFIED THE START OF ANOTHER SKIN CUTTING DAY ON THE CANE FIELD , TURNED INTO A TIME WHERE WE COULD BREATH THE FRESH AIR WITH A CUP OF COFFEE, SMOKE A PIPE, PRAY,AND COOK OUR OWN BREAKFAST, THERE WAS A NEED FOR CELEBRATION- HENCE THE INCARNATION OF CARNIVAL.
BUT- AND I MUST SAY , THROUGH THEIR PERSISTENCE, IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO MAINTAIN THERE
FALSIFIED RECORD OF HISTORY,MADE ASH WEDNESDAY, THE THE END OF CARNIVAL, AND THE BEGINNING OF SANCTIMONY.
SO MY POINT IS, MR. BULLY, AS AN ALTER BOY, I SAW YOU AT CHURCH MANY TIMES, SO ALTHOUGH I SEE YOUR ARGUMENT AS BEING VERY INTELLECTUAL, I JUST HOPE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THE DEMONS THAT YOU ARE UP AGAINST. ITS NOT THE LOCALS WHO THINK THAT YOU ARE OLD, OR THAT YOUR BONES HURT, BECAUSE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, SICKNESS GOES AWAY WHEN CARNIVAL COMES.YOU ARE UP AGAINST THE VERY FABRIC OF THE ORGANISATION THAT WE EXHAULT IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS.
YOU ARE APPROACHING A POINT OF DISCUSSION , THAT IN SO MANY WAYS RESEMBLE THOSE OF THE PROPONENTS OF CASINOS,AND GENERAL NIGHT LIFE ACTIVITIES, WHICH LIKE OUR BELOVED CARNIVAL, WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC BOOST TO OUR WANTING ECONOMY.
LET ME JUST SAY, THAT IF YOU ARE DEAD ASS WITH YOUR POINT, FORGET ABOUT THE LOCAL CRITICISMS, BECAUSE ANY TIME YOU PUT A BAND ON QUEEN MARY STREET, KENNEDY AVE, KING GEORGE ST. AND OLD STREET, DOMINICANS WILL BE THERE. THE LOCALS ARE THE LIST OF YOUR WORRIES. YOUR PROBLEM LIES WITH THE ROBE PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO TIE OUR CULTURE AND OUR BEHAVIOR TO “UNGODLY, SATANIC” ORIGINS.
AM WITH YOU MR. BULLY, BUT THIS FIGHT DOES NOT REQUIRE INTELLECTUAL AND INVOLVEMENTAL EXPERIENCE, BUT RATHER THE SHEDDING OF THE TRADITIONAL CLOAK THAT HAS TOLERATED THE DISSEMINATION OF OUR ROOTS FOR SO MANY YEARS.
summer is spending time for school
So Alwin, to what time of year are you going to change the date?
Check all the other festivals going on in the Caribbean and see if you can find a time that does not clash.
And the schools. Any time between Ash Wednesday and July and you clash with preparation for exams and the exams themselves. So the children will have no time for making costumes and taking part.
August holiday is out because it clashes with Antigua and Barbados Crop Over. The whole of Summer, many Dominicans are going away for the holidays to the US, French islands etc.
From September its National Day and Creole Festival preparations. After November its Christmas. Man just let us enjoy ourselves in our own way and in our own time, tan.
what they need to let people if they are changing it or not, because, my wifey and friends abroad need to know, so we could take out vacation for that time. so people could plan in advance, it was nice looking at the pic this year. hope to be there next year god spare life.It was nice the reserve got the princess and queen this year, congrats to them and all the other winners
You guys forgetting the change is not only competing with the other islands but also that it is in the heart of the hurricane season, dominicans want to jump up in tropical storm warning or watch?….Leave you’ll carnival before lent and by the way you guys carnival suppose to be “de original mas” change the date and it defeats the theme…also the year St. Lucia changed carnival from February to July everything was cancelled from calypso shows to costume bands coming out…. it is a very painful and interesting transition for the critics also carnival lovers..hope it does not change and if it does I wish you guys the best….
Mr Bully is very persistent in wanting to change the date of Carnival.What Mr Bully fail to understand is that our carnival is not properly funded and not planned properly. If these two things are not addressed seriously what makes him think that a date change would guarantee a bigger better Carnival making it an economic force. If we cannot plan properly now and our funding is inadequate why Mr Bully think that a date change date will guarantee a bigger better carnival as he envision.
The key reason given by Mr Bully for the date change is our inability to compete with Trinidad, how foolish that can be, why should we be trying to compete with them.Our Carnival is different and unique we should be working at branding it and selling something different to the rest of the Caribbean and the world rather than competing.
The World Creole Festival got where it is because of hard work, planning,and of course the funding.The same effort should be put into our Carnival,before any date change should be considered.Our priority should be getting the basics first,proper planning and funding.
It is tine for Mr Bully to go and roll his Rosary.
Alywn, first of all, are you still a practicing Christian Catholic or not? I am considering if you no longer practice the faith or have you renounced it.
You have been toying with this idea for a while and the majority has said, “NO!”
It appears that you will not give up unless you have your way. Right after Carnival you are throwing that bombshell again to Dominicans.
You must put better thought into this other than “the almighty dollar.” Money can be the root of all evil and is usually the root of all evil. I do think this is what you are vying for but this may prove to be a failure.
It appears that you will not give up unless you have your way.
You have to deal with other Dominican nationals. Life is a two-street. It does not consist of a one-man street and show. Consider the majority who want Carnival to remain as is. Be considerate of their feelings.
Your suggestion is not acceptable.
Why do you not leave well alone?
Why change the Carnival date and to suit other non-Dominicans?
What are you trying to prove to the foreigners?
What is behind this and what is the big idea?
Do you really care?
Are you seeking additional money?
Was this year’s carnival of all not a success?
Are there not enough people in Dominica to enjoy Carnival and make it a success?
Does Dominica really need more foreigners, additional people for Carnival?
Is there ample seating accommodation for an influx of foreigners, should they visit, who will be viewing the Carnival proceedings?
Does Dominica not have ample people to enjoy Carnival and make it a success?
Was Carnival this year a failure and in terms of funds received and paid out?
You want to change the date?
Can the hotels accommodate the influx of visitors at that time?
You are speaking for people and on their behalf, be it Dominicans who are residing abroad. Those in Dominica and who reside overseas are accustomed to Carnival before Lent. It has always suited them. Those abroad are not complaining about it. On the contrary they love the time when Carnival takes place.
In countries where it is winter, we are too happy to visit DA for Carnival in winter and look forward to it.
Why in summer? There are some Dominicans in the Diaspora who will not be able to take summer holidays. It does not matter whether they have young children or not. Those countries also have summer school. In addition, the government and business enterprises specifically in Canada offer summer jobs to those children/students. They need the money to assist them to pay for their tuition and books or to bank for future studies. These countries are not ones that especially children who are ambitious and of age to work sit around and do nothing in summer. Furthermore, summertime is a good time where some adults visit other areas of the country and other countries when the weather is warm.
How many parents can leave their children and visit DA in summer for Carnival?
You want to have Carnival during the hurricane season? If I were you, I would not take that chance.
There is something bigger and better and more reasons to keep the Carnival date as it is.
How many of those foreigners will change their system to suit Dominicans? Do they really care about Dominica and Dominicans of all?
Why follow others and match to their tune and steps?
The handful who may visit is not worth it, to change the date of Carnival, be it for three years as a trial as you said. It may be trial and error. Why waste the time and yours?
Keep Dominica’s Carnival unique, as it was in the past and is in the present, prior to Lent. This is the manner in which it was long before all of us in DA and abroad was born. This is an excellent time to have Carnival. Let it be! While spoil it?
If I had your position, this is exactly what I would do. I would not consider changing it for absolutely no one or to please non-Dominicans for their few dollars.
Changing the date takes out the excitement and reason of having Carnival celebrations prior to Lent.
Give this a good thought.
Seriously Bully?????
It’s the traditional mas, change is not always good. You came on Your horse and changed the way of parades, see how empty the streets were in the time lapse before the t-shirt bands came out, and also after the parade on Monday. Man please…. I haven’t seen so much time wasted as a reveller.
How about we start planning from the month of April and keep the ball rolling till the next February/March.
Lets start being more creative and listen to ‘everyone!”
It would be great to have it in the summer Mr bully. Why because i would like to take part in Carnival but i can’t because my children are in school, and i believe it’s like that with a lot of people who live aboard just like me.And i strongly believe with the date change it will boost the economy big time starting with more visitors and the list goes on.with all the Dominican back home who do not agree only thinking of them selves, they should keep in mind of there fellow dominicans who live over board and cannot make it like what i decribe in my earlier writing. GO AHEAD MR BULLY MAKE IT HAPPEN. MR Bully hope u get to read this.
Do you have any idea how much the kids look forward
To carnival in Toronto (caribana).jul/aug. And
Labor day in new York. Aug/sep.
How many Dominican families you see going to
Dominica for summer.
They will change it and the same people that use
To come in febuary is the same people you will
Have in summer.
What about our bands who always travel in the summer
Did anyone think of that.!
D/can living America, while u are in Dominica for carnival, CK KKK and Swinging stars will be in Canada & the US for Caribana and Labor day lloing to make a mighty dollar. Do the conversation $CAN & $US to canadian dollar. Plus they too need a holiday.When are they going to travel in the winter?
Mr Bully enjoy all his carnival all through the years. now he old he trying to spoil it for us. If carnival city is too cold for his arthritis legs he should just stay home and enjoy his senior days and let us enjoy our nice cool carnival nights. Summer is is too hot to wear some of these costumes.
@ clueless
Retirement would do and give some other person who is “a traditionalist” the opportunity to be Cultural Consultant and who will not mess with and mess up the system which presently exists.
Now where is that kind of talk coming from?? The man just suggested that Dominica Carnival does not have to be tied in with Trinidad Carnival because of the big competition. The other islands in the Caribbean we can hold them down, they can not touch our carnival.
NOW why does one have to criticize the gentleman?? we are so backwards, thinking in the box no process.
@ clueless
Retirement would do and give some other person who is “a traditionalist” the opportunity to be Cultural Consultant and who will not mess with and mess-up the system which presently exists.
you are truly clueless! Mr. Bully is speaking within reason. Our carnival’s date does not provide us with any economic advantage when comes to attracting new people to our carnival. I have been asked (in amazement) by a number of other Caribbean nationals whether Dominica has carnival. These people ask me that question because they have genuinely never heard; any song that they can identify as purely Dominican (i say identify because they have all heard balance batty but think its Lucian), they have not heard mention of the real mas etc.
For those of you who do not understand the power of Trinidad’s carnival, this is how people see T&T carnival. It is the only event in the Caribbean at that time! We have bouyon music but it still seems like something we are keeping to ourselves. Soca makes more headways.
Carnival is not a christian feast! The religious thing should not really be a factor in that decision. If it is too much of a mental thing to get over why not just call it something else, like crop over but not crop over since that belongs to barbados. Let us just try the thing for a few years, whats the worse that can happen?
I for one will not be coming in the summer. To many other interesting activites in North America then. Also it is too pricy to travel the caribbean then. Though I have a school age kid that is not a deterant as I will not take my kid out of school to come home for carnival. I will have to make other arrangements for her if I want to come then. Like most of the other bloggers say, proper planning is the key. Put parade of custumes back on Monday. Everyone will come into town then and do their own thing on Tuesday in their respective villages. Have more activities like the king and queen of the bands. Bands need to have more sections where the more mature can partake without these skimpy attire (though thats right down my alley). Begin the eleminations earlier so we are more familiar with the songs and the singers have more time to learn it. Start planning now for next year. Not too early.
Whats ur point on getting personal? the man is simply looking at the situation from an economist point of view! If you know better why don’t you step in and do some marketing if you so know you can get ppl to come here instead of going to trinidad! Dumb!
I am totally in disagreement with Bully.
1) The T&T reasoning has no validation, because there will not be a great number of people who are going to T&T who will go to Da also.
2)Carnival is a cultural and religious occassion and it have its significances.
3)To leave the hot summer in the north and come to Da in the hot sun?? Hot for hot??no way , that does not make any sense. Bully is pushing his own personal agenda.
We should do more advertizement and promote Da’s as the cheaper but better Carnival.
Leave it as is.
the t&t reasoning has no validation,you cannot attest to that,at least not on til it has been tested,like he said give it a three year period,i see nothing wrong with that,and one thing is a fact the street parade is gabbage, for a country that has been doing carnival for over fifty years and more,a change of date would give the people more time to gather more sponsors and spending power,christmas takes away a lot from peoples pocket,the people need more space and time to get better organized.
I really wonder how many people out there saying “Boy I wanted to go to DA carnival this year eh, but awah I’ll go Trini instead”
Tell Mr. Bully behave hisself eh! Summer is peak travel season, it even more money to go to DA in the summer stupes.
I think before the date change we need to look at the lack of costumes etc. When compared to other islands/countries our costumes are failing. Looking at the pictures, the streets look empty (except for night time when everyone is behind WCK or Tripple K lol).
To join the costume bands cost way too much money. There needs to be a cheaper way for them to be made so people can afford to join.Maybe there needs to be a look at the suppliers of material???
Also, the costumes, while I do admire the talent and creativity that has been going into what we have so far, could do with some help in attractiveness. We need more vibrant, extravagant looking costumes. Our costumes miss that extra ummppphh. They okay, but hat’s it, they are just okay. We need them to be SPECTACULAR!!
I think once this has been taken care of we’ll begin to see an increase in participants and maybe then we will know if we sill need a date change or not.
true but those extravagant costumes cost big big money. t&t start at 500 US
Toneh, I understand what you are saying however, i think the costumes have come a long way. More young people are joinning costume bands now compare to 6-9 years ago. i think the price of the costumes are reasonable compare to trinidad and the costumes for labor day. To join a costume band in trinidad starts at $500 dollars. The problem with the people in our country, most of them like cheap or free things. Organizing a costume band is hard work and not easy because i know from experience both in dominica and new york. I do believe that more sponsorship for the floats cn make the parade look better. I do agree with you when u said that the streets look empty. But i see no reason to change the date of carnival. The bottom line is, Trinidad promote their carnival way better than dominica and its cheaper to go to carnival in trinidad. Going trinidad is around $400 USD where as Dominica is $700-$1000 USD
Yes very too re Dominican like cheap or free things. It’s a mindset that needs to change not just for Carnival but many other things in our society. I did say that I do admire the work and talent that goes into them thus far.In other words I do agree we have come along way but again, we could still go even further. The costumes have been looking great and we should keep it up and improve. Like many things in life, there is always room for improvement. So I am only saying in order to compete we will also need to take it up a notch or two. But as you say with more sponsorship this may help carry the cost of building them and also in acquiring more and better materials etc.
Also not just for Carnival but for the growth of the island itself marketing is lacking.
I don’t think it’s the cost of the costume per se…although i think there should be some sort of instalment plan. I think 2 reasons why the costume bands are failing: 1) Dominicans just don’t want to wear costumes…they want to be able to just wear what they want and jump behind a band. 2) Our population is too small. Where you have the majority of people on the sides just looking on, who’s left to parade in costumes???
Mr. Bully thanks for all your patriotic work in the cultural arena and prompting our country but allow me to disagree with you respectfully.
You said on the radio that all the big carnival activities should be in the capital city of Roseau and not necessary in the rural areas. While we have to showcase DA and its carnival for tourism $$$$ and exposure, we should also nurture the small rural communities.
Not everybody wants to celebrate carnival in Roseau. I know you are not from the village and so you may not totally understand the closeness and dynamics of these small rural committees. I think if anything we should promote carnival in these communities.
Maybe you should spend a carnival Tuesday morning in the one of the villages and I am sure you may have a different attitude. Money is important for development of our country but also preservation and survival of the culture of our villages are equally important. Maybe when it comes to rural affairs, you are not the right person to comment on those issues because it appears that you don’t fully and may never understand it that divide
Boss, we do not like to change things we are accustomed to, so this carnival date debate will continue for some time yet. I want to share my views on two of the things Alwin said:
i. The reasoning behind his suggestion is to move away from competing with T&T’s carnival. This may be a good suggestion but Alwin needs to wheel and come again with facts and figures in light of the fact that many countries which now have dates different from T&T’s have not recorded a major boost in tourist arrivals and spendings. So, Alwin, convince us that we should change the date. The ball is in your courts now. A date change without more critical planning, showcasing and local involvemet will not work. Carnival needs to slowlg take on an “export agenda”; the planners and promoters should partner with more entities including the Dominica Coalition of Service Industries so that service delvery and service export can drive the quality of the event. Generally, date change or not, we need to up the game and see the event as a product fitting into our national export and service strategies.
ii. The dates for the street jump up have historically been determined by the Roman Catholic Church. Whatever date is set for the beginning of lent, jump up comes two days before that. Some say it is the “last lap” before committing your life to piety, sacredness and humility. To move the date will upset the balance of the church calandar, many claim. How can you purge and clean yourself, then go back to baccanal, is their argument. It will upset the balance. The “Feast of Baccanalia” MUST come BEFORE lent! This suggestion to change the dates borders on the call by the DAIC to make Sunday a regular working day. Alwin’s and the DAIC’s recommendations are seen as threating church life. The Bishop of Roseau will not agree to this! He decides when you jump up and he decides when you work. So, good luck to Alwin Bully and Achille Joseph.
HotShot,
Reply to your comments…“last lap” before committing your life to piety, sacredness and humility. To move the date will upset the balance of the church calandar, many claim. How can you purge and clean yourself, then go back to baccanal
DRINK AND WINE through Tuesday morn, then pray and sacrifice through Lent or DRINK AND WINE after Easter comes – no difference; agree to try another month for Carnival.
@Hot Spot
“Some say it is the “last lap” before committing your Life to piety, sacredness, and humility”.
First of all I need to point out that the term “committing” is very strong, in that it means a “longterm” agreement–a very long term.
And so, if the church is involved in the idea of Carnival pertaining to its date, that is another reason I know that many of us have missed the point pertaining to our relationship with God and His plan in our lives.
It is obvious that Canival festivities is a worldly form of enjoyment so how could it be linked it to Lent–pertaining to the reason for Lent?
I am thinking that if Lent is a time of cleansing, what is the point of becoming cleansed or sacred, as is mentioned above, just to become uncleansed again throughout the year, as the same set of people indulge in the climax of worldliness and fleshly gratification–such as carnival–and to return to the same phase of piety, sacredness, and humility, right after carnival?
I feel that if the desire to be cleansed or sanctified has to do with the Church and my relationship with God, I would want to achieve that goal and to remain so–for that is what God expects from me.
Not that it matters to me what people choose, or how they want to live in this world. We have two choices–to choose the ways of God, who is Love, that we might have Life, or to choose the ways of the world and its god–but this god only leads us to death.
Therefore everyone of us is accountable for our choice. I am only writing this for those or who may simply be ignorant of how we are called to live as chosen people of God, that they might become aware of the Truth.
Also those who follow religion, be aware that you are not following the path of Salvation, in that religion has too many different paths, rules, and regulations. “For by grace we are saved through through faith, and not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not from doing good works, lest anyone should boast”. Ephesians 2:8-9
Religion maintain the passion for good works, thinking that their ways will lead them to God and Eternal Life. And yet Jesus has said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man can come to the Father, but by Me”.
I promise you that He will not mislead you. And He will know when you have made the choice to follow Him. The comfort you will receive as you accept Jesus as sole control in your Life, can never be compared to whatever it is that you receive from Carnival Festivities etc, etc, etc.
But we need to choose one–in other words we have to be all the way in or all the way out–whichever we choose.
Bye the way, whereever I write the term “you” here, I am referring to “everyone” don’t anyone take it personally.
What is the big deal?? Dominicans are too afraid of change.They believe that once something has changed then they will no longer be in their comfort zone. Its sad…because in the world of today change is what opens up our eyes, change is what enables us to see the pro and cons of situations. So what if we change the date of carnival just to see if it would be profitable for our dear Dominica…would that kill anyone? Would it cause such a dastic catastrophe? I mean come on? Its not that serious…Some of you act like as if its the end of the world. I support change all the way…lets see what the out come will bring. However we need some skilled evaluators who are really going to study our profits and loses throughout the 3yr trial.If it doesnt work then so be it, all we do is bring it back to what it use to be. Simple!!
i think he has a point there lets be understanding we can advertise like Trinidad the got the money i never hear Dominica carnival on the radio like Trinidad so if i did not know da carnival was the same date with Trinidad i would go to Trinidad so if the date is change we can all so have visitors from Trinidad coming to Dominica carnival which is a plus Trinidadian love to party so they will come and they are one of the country with the best economy so let see no one will die and people carnival has nothing to do with god please
ever see T?Tdans come to Creole festival? T/Tdans only go to their own things. Even in US and North America. It’s not the date its the planning.
This is not about not liking change. it is about reality. The main reason put forward by Mr. Bully is our lack of ability to compete with Trinidad carnival. We are running from competition. If Mr. bully is correct is there any where in the 12 months period starting in January that we can hide our carnival so that we cannot avoid competion? The answer to that is no. What we should be doing is working on improving or product so that we can get a better share of the market.
correction “If Mr. bully is correct is there any where in the 12 months period starting in January that we can hide our carnival so that we can avoid competion? The answer to that is no. What we should be doing is working …”
ayo so dumbbbbbbbbb!!!!!!!!! if it in the summer it will have more people, hence more partcipation and fun. ayo people to stuck in ayo selfish ways. it have people who dying to come down and because of the time/date they cannot come. think for christ sake. i agree fully with mr bully.
WHAT IS “AYO”.. WHER ARE U FROM..U SOUND MORE DUMB USING YOUR “AYO”.. CHOOPS…
@ Profiler
Why should Alywn try to compete with Trinidad? Do Dominicans care about that?
Trinidad is Trinidad and no island can ever compete with them and will ever reach the par of T & T’s Carnival. Bad enough, T & T people think that they are better than Dominicans or any other island for that matter and they have the best carnival and no other islands could surpass them. They think that they were the first ones who ever had carnival. There are times I have to correct some of them. The only reason why they are so successful it is due to the population of T & T and it is a richer country. Considering this, why should Alywn want to compete with T & T?
I have T & T friends and I will never hurt their feelings as long as they do not hurt mine. There was a time I went to T & T at their carnival time. I was not impressed and not even with the J’ouvert. All they have are beautiful and expensive costumes, the same in Toronto in summer. At that time Monday and Tuesday were not holidays in T & T. Some office workers of all had to work. I think now they are given the holidays, if not, one.
Alwyn better not try to compete with T & T for he will not succeed.
Is he planning to ask some T & T people to bring their carnival costumes with them to play mas in DA? God forbid.
Give me Dominica’s Carnival and enjoyment any day and may the date never change.
All the people that talking about their children would like to come. They lying because they cannot afford to buy plane ticket for all their children to come. alot of times we have reunion in certain villages in the summer when all schools are closed they come down without their children and when ask where are their children, they say they cannot afford to bring them down. If they couldn’t then, what make you think they’ll be able to come for carnival? stupppppppppppppppppsssssssss.
lol..u have jokes..hahah
@ clueless
It is only a few of them. There is nothing wrong with not being able to afford. It does not surprise me if people say that they cannot afford this and that and to do this and that. I am a broad-minded person and I know very well what they mean and visualize their situation.
This is a way of life in big countries and no exception in DA. It all depends on how many children they have.
The air fare does cost a lot per person. Prior to going on a holiday they will require some items and also to bring gifts for family and friends who will expect gifts.
There are the four seasons to contend with. They require different clothing, sweaters, shoes, coats, nylons, socks, gloves, hats and the list goes on.
What about purchasing food and other personal effects?
The cost of living is high in those countries. People also have mortgages and rent and utilities to pay for, including vehicles and other personal effects. Those are not cheap or are rather not inexpensive.
Children have to be fed and clothed. Since they grow quickly, they need bigger clothes to suit their size. Also, money for extra curricula activities for children. It is a never-ending spending of money.
They pay their fair share of taxes. Taxes are deducted from every pay check. Also for the Canada Pension Fund (or whatever country they reside in) and whatever else is deducted. While they may get a certain amount of salary, they do not see or get the full amount of it.
Nearly every item they purchase, they must pay Goods and Service Tax and Provincial Tax. This also means Federal Tax. Collectively, some of that money goes to the Mayor of the City who operates the City Budget and maintains the expenditure of the City. There are three levels of governments, Federal, Provincial and Municipal in Canada. Every Province gets a share of what taxpayers pay to assist it to pay politicians, government employees and to maintain the province/city.
There, you got an idea of working and living in a progressive country. Hope you have a better knowledge of why some people will say that they cannot afford it. Money does not grow on trees.
I did not address furnishings and other items for the home and the cost of repairs should they need to repair a TV, etc. These days they are not worth repairing. It may cost just as much or nearly the amount of purchasing a new item.
If you reside in those countries you will experience it and have empathy for them. Only when people reside in those countries will they know about the cost of living and what it is like to live there.
I always say, may the strong or stronger survive and keep healthy and sane with faith, hope and trust in God. Experience is a good teacher.
Leave the Carnival where it is.
i meant patronize
not saying yes or no but just a reminder what about creole festival that would be 2 months away from august?will there be enough time to plan and save for that big event? we the locals need time to save tp patronage too and most of us recieve money and cloths from love ones for christmas can save some for carnival soon after but summer is school expences
I thought of the same thing..wcf is just 2 months away..this definitely will have an effect on the WCF..I think they should just leave carnival where it is and try to market the carnival more..
AS DOMINICAN WE SHOULD NEVER BACK DOWN TO OTHER COUNTRY, WE HAVE A UNIQUE CULTURE AND MUSIC, BUT WITHOUT MARKETING D CARNIVAL WILL NEVER COMPETE WIT TRINI. I LIVE IN LONDON, AND WHEN I GO A CARRIBBEAN FETE, IF I HEAR 1 BOUYON MUSIC I LUCKY,AND IF I HEAR 1 IS A VERY OLD SCHOOL ONE, NOW D ONLY 1 I HEARING IS , TRIPLE SHOUCE, AND IS ONLY D CHORUS THEY PLAYING, BANDS NEED TO MAKE MORE MUSIC VIDEOS AND DISTRIBUTE IT PROPERLY, OUR MUSIC IS VERY UNIQUE AND PEOPLE GROW IN MUSIC, MIGHT NOT LIKE IT THE 1ST TIME THEY HEAR IT BUT MORE THEY NOTICE AND SEE HOW WE DOMINICANS PARTY THEY WILL EVENTUALLY LIKE IT, I KNOW ALOT OFF PEOPLE IN LONDON WHO LOVES BOUYON MUSIC AND OUR CALYPSO BUT ITS ONLY A FEW, ALL BECAUSE THEY HEARD IT WHEN THEY WERE IN DOMINICA, SO IT SEEMS THEY THING WE NEED TO DO IS TO BRINGS OUR MUSIC AND CULTURE TO THEM. PS I MEET SOME PAKISTAN GIRL WHO SAID THEY WANT SOME TRIPLE KAY MUSIC, ALL BECAUSE THEY SAW TRIPLE KAY PERFORM IN BELGIUM, BRING D MUSIC TO THE WORLD, MARKETING , MARKETING, MARKETING……..
I do not know y we think that we are competing with Trinidad carnival. Trinidad and Dominica Carnival are totally different..Our problem is not competing with Trinidad. Our problem is marketing,the lack of Government involvement and waiting last minute to prepare for carnival.The committee should already be planning for next year.. The government and the committee should treat Carnival as a tourism or money generating product.
One of my ideas is that every single village should be involved in the carnival parade.The villages should set up a carnival committee with members from preschool age up to 60 years old. The committee should decide on what costumes they gonna create and also every village should have a different theme. For example, Portsmouth theme will be “promoting peace and prosperity in our Nature Isle”. Soufriere will be, “Say no to Drugs” etc..Funds are definitely needed for this. All this preparation should be done in the summer, and atleast by December every village committee should be ready in terms of every member having their costume. One way the costumes can be easily affordable is paying monthly installments. So if a costume worth $150.00, those who cannot afford to pay all at one time can make small installments. So if they start paying in the summer by January next year they should be done finish paying and of course have their costume just in time for carnival in February. By the way the costumes don’t have to necessarily be like the typical Trinidad costumes..costumes can be made from straw, some can be made from our flag..we can be very creative..
If every village is involved hence the whole of Dominica is involved and as a result the city will be packed with thousands of people in costumes.. Can u imagine that site in Roseau?
I think the government should really invest in our carnival..
The minister of culture should really look into setting up the village committees. I believe it will really make a difference in our carnival..Hope somebody takes my idea into consideration..Alot of times we as citizens present our ideas and they just go through one ear to the next..and so we continuously remain in the same position or situation..
The carnival committee should really start listening to the people and welcome new ideas..
Every year is the same old..
Changing the date is not the solution!!! lack of planning, government funding and not planning ahead of time is the problem!!!
Putting carnival in the summer, we are still gonna end up clashing with Antigua, Barbados..
Anyways peace and love to all, and I really hope someone from the carnival committee reads my post and will be taken into consideration..
VE MONEY TO MANGOLONG, KELLY AND PAT ARRON AND BALLDHEADS TO PUT SHANDELLS ON THE ROAD.NEITHER DO I BELIVE THAT THEY PAYED NAKED FEET OR BELLES COMBO TO PLAY FOR THEM ON THE ROAD. I DONT KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE FANTASTICS, THUNDER BIRDS, THE HOWLEENS.
WHEN BURNING FLAMES ROCKED ROSEAU WITH PUSH THEM DOWN, IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT, IT WAS KNICKS PROMOTIONS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO ABSORB TWO DAYS OF LOST OF REVENUE OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THOSE TWO DAYS.THEY HAVE TO INCURE OVERTIME FOR IMERGENCY WORKERS, THEY HAVE TO CLEAN THE STREETS WHEN WE ALL DONE, NOT FORGETING THE LOST IN BRODUCTION ON ASH WEDNESDAY WHEN HANG OVER PEOPLE CANT COME TO WORK
ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE IS GREAT WE SHOULD SEE CARNIVAL AS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY. WE SHOULD PUT OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER AS NEIGBOURS TO ESTABLISH GROUPS THAT ARE SUSTAINED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND IN SO DOING WE WILL ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY EFFORTS OF ORGANISATION AND IMPLEMENTATION.
I REMEMBER, IN MY COMMUNITY OF BATH ESTATE,WE HAD A GROUP OF GUYS WHO WOULD PLAN PICNICS , PARTIES AND OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS ALL YEAR ROUND, SO ORGANISING FOR OUR GANG FOR CARNIVAL TUESDAY WAS LIKE 1 – 2 -3.
CARNIVAL WILL ALWAYS BE GREAT, WE JUST HAVE TO ENHANCE IT.
Z
If some think they can bully us into accepting a change of date for carnival, they better think again. We can boycott the new date and influence sponsors to boycott. If the old farts are too tired they should retire and allow young people to take over. They can go to Trinidad as they won’t be needed here for carnival. Sounds so much like the Saturday and non worshippers who want to make Sunday a normal day for business.
Dec 9-Jan 2, 2012 Monserratt
Dec 25-Jan 3, 2012 St. Kitts
Dec 25-Jan 1, 2012 St.Croix (V.I)
Dec 26 & Jan 1, 2012 Bahamas
Jan 8-Feb 21st, 2012 Curaçao
Feb 18-21st, 2012 Aruba
Feb 20st & 21st, 2012 Trinidad
Feb 20st & 21st, 2012 Dominica
Feb 20st & 21st, 2012 Haiti Carnival
Feb 23, 2012 Guyana
Apr 19th -May 2, 2012 St. Maarten
Apr 15 Jamaica
April 22-28th, 2012 St. Thomas
May 5th, 2012 Cayman Islands
May 22-24, 2012 Bermuda
June 29-Jul 10th, 2012 St. Vincent
July, 2012 St. John (V.I)
July, May 28-July 17th 201 St. Lucia
Aug 7, 2012 Antigua
Jul 28- Aug 7, 2012 Anguilla
Jul 21-Aug 3, 2012 Barbados
Aug, 2012 Tortola
Aug, 2012 Nevis
Aug 4-14th, 2012 Grenada
Where would DOMINICA fit into if the date had to be changed…
Don’t you think we would be better off competing with Nevis, Grenada or Tortola than with Trinidad?
Can you compete with caribana it’s also in august.
OCTOBER
You do remember that the same entity stages both carnival and WCMF, right?
if is to be change Dominica would not have a change
Thanks for putting that up..having carnival in the summer is not gonna make a differnce..date is not the problem..marketing and planning thats the problem..our carnival is good in February.having it in summer, we are still gonna end up clashing with other Caribbean islands..
Very,very good question! And you did not even mention the Notting Hill Caribbean carnival in London, also taking place every August, which draws thousands of visitors from all over.
and you forgot WCMF in October. So which one is going to suffer? carnival or creole festival!I believe we have to events perfectly placed to maximise visitor arrivals.
that should be “two events”
in march
I am so tired with wanting to change the Carnival date every year, maybe what we need to change is the people on the Carnival Organizing Committee if they cannot cope. Changing the date may not be the answer, finding ways to attract people is the answer, and the way to attract people is proper organization, making the parade more colorful and organised. Why can’t all the schools take part in the Monday parade? they have a whole year to raise funds for that instead of relying on sponsors. Have a school fair, dance, concert whatever.
Why can’t Carnival Committee has functions all year to raise funds? why not reach out to groups in the diaspora to help in sponsoring? Why so many shows the month of Carnival, shows that could be held anytime of the year. If we say things are hard in Dominica, how could you expect people to attend all those shows, the same businesses to sponsor them and still be able to sponsor the contestants. Boeuf devant bwe glo net.
As I say its all about proper organizing. Start tomorrow to plan for next year.
And please let us go back to the great costumes for the Queen contestants, after all this is the highlight of the show, what went wrong this year? Why can’t we have all the villages participate in Carnival on Tuesday? They can have Carnival in their village on the Monday. Just imagine how spectacular this would be, try it, if it does not work then we can move the date.
I agree with your comment 100%..Schools and villages should be involved.that would definitely make the carnival more spectacular..
I believe is the carnival committee that’s the problem..They need younger people with fresher and innovative ideas!!!!!
Now Tobago talking about a may or October carnival
Don’t forget that caribana is the beginning of
August and labor day is the end of august.
The big bands like swinging stars and wck are
Usually in Canada and new York.
watch what Antigua does, they advertise their carnival at T&T soca monarch, and while T&T is having carnival preps. The thousands who just love the mass are all seeing these promotions. Do you think that we are able to take advantage of advertising our carnival at the Caribbean’s largest carnival? Now many people have commented on our problem is lack of marketing and to some extent it is, but to a larger extent it is competition. Question, would a Grenadian having the choice to go to Dominica’s carnival or Trini carnival choose Dominica? Would a Vincie do it? would a Bajan? or even a Lucian for that matter? The people who choose to come are people with some type of link other than just the carnival to come to Dominica. I guess it is like the case with Antigua and Anguilla, I did not even realize Anguilla had a carnival but i do know when Antigua carnival was.
It’s not about TnT, it is more about attracting Guada and Martinique carnival lovers and D/a diaspora. That’s the whole point, worth it or not?
Add Caribana Festival in Toronto – North America’s largest street festival July/Aug, And Labour Day in Brooklyn in September
March
@ amethyst
You forgot Brazil and New Orleans, same as Dominica.
Those dates are interesting. If Alwyn wants to change DA’s Carnival, he will have a tough time deciding what date would be suitable.
I would not travel to DA in summer for carnival. I probably would boycott it and go to Antigua or elsewhere. I know some people who reside in Antigua and have been to Antigua at Carnival time.
Generally, my visit to DA is during winter and I would like to keep it that way. Furthermore, I would not want to travel there during the hurricane season unless it is an emergency visit.
Alwyn better leave the Carnival date as it and let it rest once and for all.
Since Trinidad is the only country in the Caribbean competing with us for February, we should just improve our carnival. There is no need to change the date because if carnival is badly organised it does not matter what date they put it, it will still be poorly attended
Mr. Bully is right, and most Dominicans know it, but they will not go for the change. You know why? We are afraid of the spotlight; we are afraid that the world would be looking at us to do better; we are afraid that the world will ask our calypsonians to do better; will ask us to put better bands on the street; we are afraid that we will be criticized. We don’t want to grow up so every time someone challenges us to improve, we attack them, as opposed to opening up to new ideas.
The fact is, this is not a new idea. Our carnival has not moved beyond Roseau for over 100 years and the people who see the potential that carnival has are getting tired of that. The fact is, most people who live outside of DA would rather visit when they and their kids are not in school, which is..SUMMER TIME…It is the same time in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. But for some reason, we don’t want to consider that. For some reason, we don’t want those dollars coming into DA. Instead, we have the same old thing year after year after year…. And That Has Become Sooooo Damn Boring.
people its for the better we need to appreciate this change. we just cannot compete with these islands having these big events at the same time with our carnival …therefore, please give Mr. Bully an idea of the other countries having their events so it would be easier for him to seal the deal for summer 2013…..summer schools are out so we got goooood enough reason to take the entire family HOME for their well deserved family vacation…..i in dat…yeppp
Antiua , St. Lucia, and a number of other islands have carnival in the summer, not to forget Barbados crop over, so there is always competition for time, we are not competing with
Trinidad, we cannot compete with Trinidad and Brazil, we have our own unique brand, ours is based on our French cultural celebration of Mardi Gras,and emancipation of slavery. Promotion is needed and a planning committee solely for the carnival season, not the same people who plan National day, but a Carnival planning commitee,we should have different committees under the jurisdiction of cultural ministry. Delegate to new young minds,under the guidance of the old brains like Alwin and Lawrence.For too long the same people esconced/settle into the same positions,as if their fadder had died and will it to them.Dominica need some new blood in those positions.
Amen!!!
Hey…with that thinking, we should move Chrismas to summer too! More visitors, more revenue.
Where is our carnival marketed ? Where ? It is not even marketed to Dominicans living abroad !!! So don’t blame the fact that we can’t compete on the dates and TNT. Work on the product, plan excursions. Like it or not the majority of people who will ever come to DA for carnival are dominicans living abroad. If we change the date and don’t market it properly it will surely kill our carnival.
next thing allu will say we competing in Anigua. bear in mind Antigua is just 35 minutes away from us by plane
Give it a try and see what happens. Many more people will able to come form over seas. Carnival is too close to Christmas and that is why we should try.
Change it and someone country who has carnival in the summer and its not working will take our spot. Trust me, the people who go to Trinidad for Carnival will save their money to go to Trinidad, anyway where in the summer would you have it. All the other islands have something already. Alwyn says they are burnt out after National Day, having Carnival in Summer, they will be burnt out for National Day. I think the time now is unique, nothing much is happening in the other islands. The problem is proper planning, and invite new people to be on the Organizing Committee, with new ideas.
I not for change but if you gonna try it for 3 years that is TRY!! and it dosnt work out and goes back to original date then I am for that. Let’s see.
What I find that’s going to be hard is that during summer we have a few other islands that have their carnivals…We would bound to clash with one of these islands. Hmm..
it can change..as long as the days of carnival are extended as well..
IF IT’S NOT BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT! But we can give it a try temporarily, just to see.
It’s all demographics at this point. We would like to compare to TnT standards etc., but clearly we can’t and should not.
If it moves to summer, there are so many other carnivals going on at that time – it’s just a moot point. ‘MAYBE’ better in April when there’s only ST.Thomas, St.Kitts, St.Marten.
LEAVE IT ALONE…It is good as is. It is what it is!
Why don’t we just hand it over to the Boujon Brigade? After all, they seem to have taken over the event already. Let their sponsors pay for it saving us the headache of having to fork out tax payers money to promote commercial interests on a t-shirt that has little to do with the spirit of carnival.
it should be changed more of our kids abroad will be able to experience the culture.it working fine for st.lucia right after carnival its like a disaster passed in domininica
The carnival should be in the summer time because I and my children can not attend because of school. More of my friends would also attend. Dominica Carnival is not getting the exposure because of the Trinidad Carnival which is far more bigger and better. Trinidad and Haiti carnival is advertise all over the US. When you call the travel agency to book your flight around this time they the travel clerk says to you going to Trinidad for carnival. No Dominica!! So Dominica also has carnival and around the same time with Trinidad. Some of the islands in Caribbean has changed their dates/ time for carnival. I think some of us Dominicans are afraid of change. Nothing bets a trial but a failure. If it does not work out just put it back to the original date. Their should be a monitor in the airport showing off Dominica past carnival. After the Creole Festival we should be showcasing the carnival. flyers, banners and the travel agencies should be all showcasing Dominica Carnival. Our past Carnival Costumes should be showcase. More money needs to be spend into the carnival and into advertising Dominica’s Carnival into the US also. St. Lucia does it why not Dominica. They advertise their Hotels the same time they are advertising their carnival. Take a change!!
OK Florida.. we will have a special Carnival just for you and your other diaspora friends and their families. The same way you did not bring them to Creole festival and National day. But dont worry, we will have a special – extra special – Carnival just for you!
I am in agreement. we should have a unique date set for this event,preferably mid-tear. perhaps at the end of the school year.
The world is changing every day and so should we.
For those of you still wish to remain inside the box you will get crushed and wonder what happened. Just look around. Jamaica, Antigua, St.Kitts just to name a few have their own dates. They are all doing well. Therefore I say ‘go for it”
Certainly for a change, like her said, “the larger numbers of visitors would include people from the OECS countries who at the moment by-pass Dominica and head instead for the Trinidad carnival.” I for one have done this, even as a Dominica. However, more than just a change is the development of our carnival.We got a product [ carnival] which we can bottled, packaged and marketed to the entire region and the world. Our success at doing this is how much our private and public sector would want to put into it. We need to put in place a carnival programme which is not spread out for two weeks, but in actual only five days. We need to reintroduce the Miss OECS and OECS Calypso shows to Dominica. They may not have been a success when previously held, but I certainly believe enough time wasn’t given for the growth of these two caribbean/OECS Shows. Soca music is the child of Calypso, we need start thinking how big that this child could become. Testament to that, Trinidad [ International Soca Monarch], St. Vincent [ Kevin Little], St. Lucia [ I can’t recall the name of the guy, but was very popular with – Bi Gaz, Antigua is now thinking a Caribbean Soca Monarch in 2012 [ Dominica will have no representative], Barbados, the examples we listen and know.
“He is advocating that the change be tried for a three year period after which the success or failure of that undertaking could be properly assessed. If after three years it doesn’t work then we go back to the original date, he says in response to those who want the traditional carnival date maintained.”
OK Mr. Bully, I say, let us try it, but first discos this in the HOUSE!
Bully I think u sould try it next year . And see that u move all the way down to summer give us 2 two extra days with that .
maybe we should have carnival 2 times a year, who cyan’t make it in feb/mar will come in summer lol
This competition with T&T argument is nonsense. We should embark on proper marketing and offering something unique and by that I don’t mean tee-shirt bands. Does Mr. Bully believe that visitors want to come to Dominica to see people on the streets in a tee-shirt band with no structure? The people who would most likely want to come to Dominica have visited T&T or Rio in the past and while they may want a change they would certainly not want to see what we are offering at present. We should also remember that for many of those from Europe and North America, Feb & March is the time that they take a winter break so there is no guarantee that moving carnival to the summer will attract more people. I say leave carnival where it is, the thing is broken but moving the date is not the fix. However, if it must be moved then that should only be done after work is done to improve the quality of the product.
I agree with you Papa Dom. People are not going to leave North America and the Uk and travel to Dominica when it is hot, just for carnival. Summer is a lovely time of year in these countries. One would more likely visit Antigua or Barbados where there is a better product Improve the product,February is prime time for the snowbirds who need to get away from the cold and combine carnival with a visit to their family in DA.
This is so true,I for one will not leave London nottinghill Carnival to come to Dominica carnival if it is in summer.And furthermore some pf us who feel to visit in february for carnival if posssible can come back for creole fest in October because of the 8months but who will be able to afford a ticket in summer & then 2months later in october.
the biggest problem as with all activities in dominica is marketing.
it luk like some people still finkin inside the box
Alwin, last time you suggest it, wi look blows. Now, more FOR it than against. Go for it.
Change it for what ? That makes no sense. Come up with a new idea, we are not interested in that one. Don’t mess with our carnival.
Well we can start the 3 year period this year, so Carnival in summer………
Yes, again…..one more time for the year.
Allu Dominicans too like a sewo eh. I too say one more time in the summer. Let us try it out this year to see if it will work. We can sing de same ole Kaisos that jess pass with the runner ups (maybe Karessa will win this time), de queen show runner ups will compete against each other, we can use all de same costumes (boy look nice chinese costumes I see dere–we cannot let dat go to waste). Let us see who will come down and how much money we will make. Go for it Meester Bully.
i find it odd abt changing the dates however…pushing it to a later date like summer would surely generate more income and visitors…just like antigua have lions swinging whole week n more..we need sumtin so in d spot u can take a bounce while u here for the summer one time..and doh play
Leave our carnival where it is please. You’ll will change it and then it will be destroyed forever. The dates are not just dates there is a significance to it before lent, change it and it is just another fete. That makes no sense to me.
please, the significance is lent? so after all the crimes and reveling you can go put ashes on your forehead and give up something for 40 days. what then? you go back to your old ways. please bear in mind Carnival came about after slaves were set free, it had nothing to do with lent. instead of being against the idea, give it a try, sometimes change is good. plus it will give those of you who cry broke for January and February because Christmas and carnival is so close together a chance to save some money. it’s not like the people who come here on the cruise ship won’t come because Carnival is moved, Dominica is just one of their many stops. it will too give those who can’t make it at the present date to come and to bring their friends along. Also, i feel it will give the organizers more time after the christmas holidays to prepare. with the change in date they can start grooming the queen contestants much earlier instead of just a few months, make them apply early so the distraction of independence and christmas won’t be in the way. all in all change is in fact sometimes better, and as mr. bully said if it fails then we just go back to the current date no harm in that.
So if am planning my vacation am going to go to Trinidad in February and Dominica Carnival in the summary? Persons travelling to fete will still have to choose where they want to go for the year so we still going to be competing with Trinidad and all other countries that celebrating carnival. We have a unique product others should be worried about us not the other way around. It’s all about marketing people. DFC should receive a larger subvention for Carnival and WCMF.
i totally agree with Bully, Trinidad Carnival is the biggest in the caribbean we cant compete with them. Summer sounds great, yes st lucia and anu carnival is in july but Dominica carnival is bigger than anu and st lucia. Give it a try in 2013 if God spear our lives, it might just work.
I don’t think the date should change because of the Creole festival being held in October. Some people in the Diaspora save to come back home for both festival. Putting the Carnival for the summer will affect the creole festival and secondly with our unpredictable weather it won’t work. LET’S KEEP THE CARNIVAL WHERE IT IS AND PROMOTE IT MORE.
Sir,
The TNT government is now in the process of haiving a carnival in tobago. They are saying that it is a better attraction for tourism. They are thinking of October or May. What we go do, if that happens?? Remember both St.Vincent and Antigua have big carnivals other months in a year. Where would that put us?? I say you set up a committee to work on developing carnival year round. You have served us well, but you need to start passing on the torch to some worthy folks, if we really want that to work. A date change will have no impact,if we keep the same set of people doing the planning etc.
With all these suggestions and recommendations I hope no one will make a decision until some research has been done. If we’re serious about the tourism aspect, we need to find out how many regional and international visitors pay us a visit for Carnival as it is now. We should then find out from them why they chose Dominica and what factors most affected that choice. In the end we might find out that the date of Carnival isn’t a deciding factor.
Regardless, the Government needs to play a bigger role in terms of co-ordinating creative efforts for Dominica’s Carnival. I believe the cancelation of the Costume round at the Miss. Dominica Pageant is a mistake. Costumes should have a larger presence on our streets if we want to promote Carnival as a tourism product. Besides the costume issue, band leaders/organizers are left to their own devices as far as putting together that same “product” we’re attempting to promote. This can sometimes lead to an inconsistent and unsatisfying experience for foreigners.
Our T-shirt bands are a mess. More attention should be paid towards preserving order within those bands during daylight hours. The bottom line is this; if our Carnival is to be a competitive product, there needs to be more money from sponsors, better organization, and greater participation from the public.
well we can try this summer coming to see how things rolling boy…. i in dat…. i die na?
NO NO NO NO!
Carnival in Dominica has more meaning that just a bloody fete, do not change it. If you in DA don’t know how to plan, prepare, organize, advertise and put out a good product, don’t blame it on the dates. What, you trying to compete with T&T and Rio? it will never happen, just compete with DA.
Changing dates will not do a thing, leave it alone please. No No No NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
i all fr summer carnival, children out of scchool easier for parents to travel! Give de three years a try let’s start planning for 2013! remembeer de Grandbayy reunion 2006 in de summer!lots of foriegn people boosting D/CA economy ! spread dat effect and carnival in de summer could be a hit!
Yes i agree with Mr Bully for the three years trial, summer canival would be great for some people who cant make it in Febuary,eight years i haven’t seen canival,because at that time of the year it’s to expensive from France to Dominica!!!
i say we give the summer carnival a test run this year 2012. we in dat!
That’s right, a summer carnival in 2012…so we can have 2 carnivals in 1 year!
bully is a smart guy
big ups to him for thinking out of the box.
Nothing beats a try!
Trinidad carnival and Dominica’s carnival falls on the same date for a reason! It’s part of the two days of being crazy before Ash Wednesday. It has significance.
Interestingly, we boost that we have the most “original” carnival yet we do not think we can compete. If you are the best then use that as a marketing tool. If there is one thing Dominicans know how to do is party, so have a fete in the summer … in addition to not in lieu of carnival. (Or will we then say we cannot compete with the St. Lucia jazz festival). smh
to change the carnival date we first have to look at the festivals in the other islands, St. Lucia jazz is 2nd week May they carnival is early July,Antigua and BVI carnival is at the end of July,we have the end of may to June open as St.Kitts music festival is at the end of June, then they is Barbados crop over in June to August may/june is a good month for the change for the carnival
Our Carnival will never be a Trini carnival, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. I mean that the culture behind our carnival is different, so the 2 will never be the same. Even if we change the date (and I am not opposed to a 3 yr trial period), we still need to emphasize and promote more of our cultural aspects a bit more. That will attract visitors and Dominicans abroad. Another thing that Trinidad is known for is Soca, and people travel from far and wide to their carnival simply because of their music. We need to push our calypso and our bouyon! Not just in Dominica, but in the other islands. A lot of people who are from the Caribbean have no idea what music Dominicans listen to during the carnival season. We need to push and promote our music and use it as a tool to attract visitors. Our jouvert is one of the best and most original, we need people to know that, so that they will want to come and be a part of that. The costume bads should have packages for visitors, and they should be prepared in advance. Normally the Trini costume bands debut their theme and costumes during the summer of the previous year. that gives people time to decide and plan financially to take part. The bands throw numerous parties/fetes to promote their product. That is something we can and should do more of. Maybe even giving people a taste during independence, so that they will return for carnival. These are things that we should do in order for our carnival to be bigger and better, regardless of the date it takes place on.
A change of date would be great.Our carnival celebration coinsides with that of Martinique&Guadeloupe and we do have lots of the french at our carnival.Changing the date would increase thier presence by at least 200%.We need them to spend the Euro.
How did you arrive at that number. Sounds like a Parry Bellot stat to me.
I agree with Bully, try and see what happens in the Summer for Carnival, If it does not workout go back to the original date, It will mean kids are out of school and many people abroad will come down with their kids to see Dominica Carnival, In February, there are numerous countries with the same time around Dominica Carnival, such as Trinidad, French St. Martin, Guadda, Curacoa, Madri Gras, Boanire… etc…so maybe a change of date will be nice…there is change for everything, lets just try and do it as BULLY says for 3 years, if it works fine we keep it if not we go back to February…
In my opinion,I think we need to move the carnival fro m where it is to MAY.The first Monday Tuesday of MAY. The Government would have gained a holiday because the first Monday in May is always a holiday.The next reason is that most of the tax payers in Europe and USA would already have recieved thier tax returns thus giving them more disposable income to make it possible to enjoy carnival in DA.
Summer Carnival concedes the time to Trinidad…but in the summer we will be competing with Barbados’ Cropover…Antigua’s Carnival…Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest And Dream Weekend….and I kno some will say, that they’re at different times and the way it is now we compete with Trini for the same weekend….but It’s something to consider. However, Mr Bully is on to something here and I really wish we would open up to even the trial time.
@ Dominica1 Toronto: I agree! Yes keeping it as is will generate people from N.America to come, but it would be better to change it also. People in N. America have children where they cant take them out from school during the month of Feb. but would love for their children to experience the carnivals and part of the Dominican culture as well. Go for it! try it out for three years to see how it pans out.
Am all in for the 3 yr. trial.
DOMINICA IS A CATHOLIC COUNTRY, WE CANT HAVE CARNIVAL AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY! THATS THE MEANING OF CARNIVAL, YOU REVEL FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN YU PURGE OUT ON ASH WEDNESDAY AND FAST FOR FORTY DAYS TOWARDS EASTER, MAYBE MISTA BULLY IS NOT A CATHOLIC BUT US CATHOLICS KNOWS THE GENESIS OF CARNIVAL
I think you must one of these Dominicans that dont like Change, This will significantly increase patrons for carnival and boost economy.
You fast for 40 days?
Ash wednesday will still be there carnival or not. It has nothing to do with the man not being catholic.
you are just a pure hypocrite, no other words to describe you. You mean to tell me that all you sewoing hard with no thoughts of praying etc.. and then all u going into 40 days of fast? for what? so that God could forgive you for what you did yesterday? and would definitely do next year.God forbid, but what if u died in carnival, you would go to hell then? just dont go…give it some thought..
Thats a great move am all for it there will be more to gain in that.
Well, I think it should stay as is. If it is changed, it will change the whole meaning of carnival.
All the French West Indies celebrates carnival the same day as we do.
Brazil, New Orleans and Trinidad all have the same carnival date following in the Catholic tradition.
Everything cannot be about money….. Tradition needs to be respected. We can’t sell ourselves cheap all the time.
However, I think we can have both without losing our culture. We can have Carnival as we currently do, but have a jump-up in the summer…. It could be a two day event, but instead of having it in the middle of the week; we can celebrate on a Friday going into Saturday… This will allow a lot of people come here for the weekend who might be reluctant to lose three day of work during the week. We can also add a day to the festivities in October and call it j’ouvert Kréyòl. These are just ideas instead of selling us short to other places.
Have a compromise for economy and tradition.
Kazimi, you are saying don’t change it but at the same time if you change Monday and Tuesday to Friday and Saturday then where will you have ash wednesday… let us see what happens, he is not saying change it forever, all he is saying lets put it another date and time so other countries can come and see what Dominica has to offer instead of comparing it to Trinidad and the other countries…
I was saying Friday and Saturday in the summer.
They cyah manage one, you want them to manage more. ROTFL
I think this is a good idea to have carnival shift to the summer. I also think as mr bully said we should give it a 3 year experiment its not a bad idea people we could always shift it back,common lets make things happen my people lets be creative in our thinking.
Sometimes change is necessary. I’m all for the 3 yr. trial.
That would be a good move because Trinidad carnival falls the same time as Dominica. Moving it will promote Dominica’s carnival better. We will get more caribbean nationals and international people coming for the carnival.
Brazil carnival is the same day as Trinidad’s. Do you see a Trinis leaving Trinidad. We do not need to change the dates. The reason for Trinidad’s carnival being so successful is that they view it not only as culture, but as a money making business. Dominica’s need to learn how to fete. Nothing in this place starts on time. We need to involve more of the private sector. See how NBD had such a nice float. Why is it that other business could not do the same? Changing the date would change nothing. If we market it well enough, more participants will be willing to come for two basic reasons; 1. we are cheaper to fly to, 2. we have a product that will be their money’s worth. But fact number one must be accompanies by fact number two if we need people to come.
I agree with you 100% its all about preparation and marketing.
First of all, we do not have the finances to compete in promoting it as they do in trini. so you having it on the same day Dominica will be forgotten. So you have to move it to give other caribbean nationals a chance of hearing about carnival.
Agreed, if we change the date and not have a good product people won’t come.
Cheaper to fly to. What rock have you been living under?
Excuse me please…Calypso Finals and Mr. Dominica started bang on time
I agree. Changing the date is not the solution, fix the product. I watched online and was disappointed by what I saw. Organization still needs to improve. We don’t need a change of date, but rather a change of mindset. We must learn to embrace changes. And start events earlier!
Makes sense in one way but how many other countries have carnival in the summer. Antigua would be enough to compete with us. That’s where the international flights land!! Do we have to go through that again???
How long is summer again?
May June would be a better time.
a whole week of carnival we need: from monday to saturday!!!
In my honest and humble opinion Carnival should be a whole month! And seeing that February has the least number of days I propose that we move Carnival to the entire month of May.
So all de months will have a big convention: And is den de fete will start!
January say “Doh ask me, I got new Years day;
no one can take away”.
February Call April and say
“How de hell they could leave you me and March and put carnival in May”.
Mr mad nuh….wat he have to do is put back t-shirt on tuesday cuz t-shirt on monday is jus not wrkin out….its dominica carnival not trinidad..stop copyin wat trinidad is doin n bring back our carnival the way we want it…
Small minds never think outside the box
Why should we change. Can we make ours bigger and better to attract more audiences. Trinidad has a good package and so does Brazil which none are changing their dates. If our Carnival remains the same it does not matter which date we put it one. Arrivals still won’t come.
I completely agree with Mr.Bully, we cannot handle the competition especially with Trinidad…Trinidad carnival is properly marketed so an influx of people coming from all over the globe bypass Dominica and head for Trinidad…from the way it is now , only Dominicans enjoy its carnival and no major increase in tourism. Just try it fr 3 years…it sounds ideal. Summer sounds good too when people can openly travel.
“…only Dominicans enjoy its carnival…” Are you serious? and whats wrong with that picture? When you cook food at your home do you cook it to suit the palette of your neighbour? steuuuuuups!
Sounds good my friend,I support this 100%.Let’s do it,it’s not gonna hurt to try.
Keep as is it also generates a large number of people living in North America who wants to escape the cold weather
Mr. Bully, just resign and leave them in their mess, as they do not want to take your advice.
Tradition has worked against us for years and there’s some who are just hell bent on keeping the festivities before lent. There is way too much of competition in the region during that season and these cactus heads just don’t understand that.
Not withstanding the fact that our product is the most original, we just can’t compete with Trinidad and the french islands. and that is a fact.
i couldnt “Like” your comment so imma do it here….Jespen, i couldnt have put it any better.. Dominicans need to embrase change. change in date..change in outcome….they fail to understand that.
you need to EMBRACE a dictionary.