The tantalizing sound of darkies’ whip resounded throughout the city on Saturday signaling the start of one of the biggest cultural events on the island.
Masses of people lined the streets on Saturday to witness the official opening parade of Mas Dominik 2014.
Magnificently decorated floats, unique sensays, bwa bwas, flag wavers, 2013 pageant winners, and 2014 pageant contestants amongst others took to the streets in all their color and splendor to welcome the 2014 Carnival season.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Saturday evening Minister for Tourism and Legal Affairs Ian Douglas hailed the official opening parade a success.
“The action starts now, the excitement is here and we are all here. All the elements that make up Mas Dominik was present on the road today, our unique and special distinctive carnival season is opened in the Nature Island of the world. I want to salute all of those who have made the carnival opening a success. I deem the carnival opening a success and that says that carnival 2014 will be a success,” he stated.
The Minister added that this year’s celebration is properly themed “Nous Konnet Viv.”
“We understand in Creole the heart of our culture, what we mean when we say Nous Konnet vive, fully aware of the responsibility which we have to celebrate carnival in a manner that truly reflects our common humanity not only as Dominicans, not only as West Indians with a common heritage and a history but a common humanity as world people in a global community,” he said.
He noted further that Carnival is an “embodiment of all the characteristics and attributes of what we want to implore and what we want to explore as a people going forward.”
“In the next few weeks we unleash our creativity, our ingenuity, our passion for life and the awakening of our spirit, of the spirit of our ancestors who gave us this great Mass and Masquerade, who liberated us from the plantations, who liberated us from 400 years of slavery, with carnival,” he remarked.
Meantime, Minister for culture, youth and sports Justina Charles warned revelers against anti-social behavior during the carnival season.
“I therefore urge our people to participate and get involved in one way or the other let’s have fun in a peaceful way and lets us continue to show the world that that level of peace, tranquility and hospitality that this Nature isle has to offer. Let them relate our theme nous konnet vive to their experience. Let us therefore play our part in living that theme in a positive way. Let us issue a word of caution to those who may be inclined to engage in any anti-social activity that is in contravention to the law of this land,” she stated.
Mayor of the city of Roseau, Irene John, handed over the keys of the city to CEO of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Collin Piper and cut the ribbon indicating the start of the 2014 Carnival season.
In her address she stated that carnival is a traditional event which has over the years been preserved and developed and more recently been promoted to the benefited.
“Because Roseau is the central location for Dominica’s carnival, the Roseau city council has always tried to play an important role in trying to ensure the smooth running of the carnival especially in the area of keeping the city clean and maintain a healthy environment,” she pointed out.
She added that efforts are being made to develop Dominica’s carnival into a fine tourism product which attracts not only Dominicans but also non Dominicans who are in search of an exotic experience.
A number of activities including the Carnival Princess show, Miss Teen Dominica, Miss Dominica, and Calypso finals have been scheduled to take place over the next 3 weeks leading up to the annual street jump up on March 3rd and 4th.
DAT new Possie flag wavers was a waste of time on d road
The parade was good this year. Lots of colour and so many floats.
To the people who complained that it was boring – I would love if you would clarify what you want in a parade, what would improve on it. The constant complaining with no suggestions for improvement is very tiring.
I liked the sensay section, very lively, lots of activity. Its difficult to liven up the float section so I’m looking forward to suggestions from other commenters on that.
It’s obvious that a lot of effort was put into this year’s event. Thank you to all the organizers.
OMG… well Ian Douglas really deriere bonda… no one is only three comments that here, well mine saying it was not only boring but a waste of time and trust me Portsmouth going to be just as laughable since not one group is organized in Portsmouth for its opening
I totally agree, that parade was boring
the sucess was just for mr Douglas:lol:
this year was a mess and a waste of time smh 
Dear Mr. Douglas
This boring parade was a success?
is the same “ko-shor-ni” you know. you would welcome carnival with open arms and lots of excitement. but for christmas, it came and went as if it didn’t even exist or had any significance. i’m not saying to do away with carnival, i simply mean that each holiday has it’s own merit, so why don’t we afford each holiday with the equal amount of respect and caliber that we would any other?