Most revelers who turned out to participate at the official opening of Dominica’s Carnival 2011 on Saturday were left with a desire for more, as bands and floats retired into the Pottersville Savannah for the official opening ceremony.
There, Culture Minister Justina Charles, who presented an address, made a plea for tolerance and a violent and drug free season.
“In addition to glamor and color creativity it is incumbent on each one of us to play our part in promoting peace, exhibiting a high level of tolerance, love and respect for each other,” she stated. “This is the premise on which our Carnival can be marketed and gain the prominence which we are working towards. It should also be a festival which continues to promote clean fun and frolic and there really should be no place for violence and use and abuse of drugs during this season.”
“For this reason I wish to appeal to the general public to refrain from all types of violence and anti social behavior in this year’s carnival. Our aim should be to build and develop our country and not to destroy it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tourism minister Ian Douglas described Saturday’s event as a true manifestation of color which only gives an idea as to what is to come for the Real Mas 2011.
He urged visitors to come experience the exciting calendar of activities for the season.
Chairman of the Carnival Development Committee Alwin Bully made a call for the youth, “the future generation,” to get involved in the organization of carnival. “We look forward to you taking over,” he stated.
He dubbed the opening a success and thanked all those who contributed.
Mayor of Roseau Cecil Joseph said that everyone could have fun without any violence.
He pointed out that carnival is a product that should not be stained with violence.
According to Joseph, “we are all responsible to ensure that we remain our brother’s keeper during the remaining activities and act as a true ambassador,” he said.
Joseph said “from today to Ash Wednesday, we will celebrate this part of our history, part of what makes us who we are and what we are as a people,”.
to have a drug free carnival you gonna have to not have ANY ALCOHOL and CIGARETTES on sale as well. only then can it truely be grug free. And if you do that… then Carnival is gonna be like a tea party.. POINTLESS. i doh know bout anybody but i cyah just start jumpin up on a purely sober mind. I need my drugs!
true dat
Hey Folks Mas in Mahaut will be great,saturday #Sa Nou Meme Calypso tent opened with a bang at the market,wow the local band played top class—Mind Body and Soul
I buy my crack, my smack, my girls,
Right here in Dominica
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don’t even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich,
All research and successful drug policy shows
That treatment should be increased,
And law enforcement decreased,
While abolishing mandatory minimum sentences.