Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit has described Dominica’s Carnival as the heartbeat of Dominican cultural identity and an embodiment of unity.
She was speaking during the official launching ceremony of Mas Domnik Carnival 2024 held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on the weekend.
“This celebration is more than just a festival, it’s the heartbeat of our cultural identity, an embodiment of unity, and a testament to our community’s vibrant spirit,” she said.
Poponne-Skerrit continued, “As we commemorate the opening of Mas Domnik Carnival, let us pay homage to the essence of the Real Mas, a cherished component of our Carnival festivities, connecting us to our roots and preserving the authenticity that makes our celebration unique among the other Caribbean islands.”
According to her, Real Mas goes beyond the flamboyant costumes and pulsating music, “it encapsulates the raw, authentic expressions of our culture.”
“It’s a vibrant canvas where our heritage comes alive through traditional Mas, Sensay costumes and the captivating performances that tells stories of our past,” she stated.
Furthermore, she said Dominica’s Carnival is a spectacular fusion of traditions, a glorious mosaic of the collective heritage.
“In every beat of the drums and in each magnificent costume we showcase the beauty of our diversity, “Poponne-Skerirt noted.
“We are not just here to celebrate, we are here to honour our resilience, “Poponne-Skerrit indicated.
She went on to state that the Government of Dominica stands committed to preserving the country’s cultural tapestry while ensuring sustainable urban growth.
“Our streets echo the harmonious blend of tradition and progress and [we] remain resolute in cultivating a country that values its roots while embracing the future,” she said.
Mayor of Roseau Her Worship Irmine Royer who handed over the keys to the City to Mrs.Poponne-Skerrit said Carnival should be seen as a call for celebration when we all come together to tell a story to the rest of the world.
“A story [neither] seen or heard anywhere in the world, a story of colour, dance, music, food, and hospitality. A different kind of story which attracts visitors to our shores. The story we call the Real Mas,” Royer said.
Moreover, she said Dominica’s Carnival culture is seen as an explosion of love, “a fusion of different cultures within our country which is being exhibited during this time of year.”
“We have prided ourselves as having the most original Carnival anywhere in the world and we should continue to market this product aggressively,” Royer noted. “We want to ensure that the economic benefits which are received from the Real Mas can touch the lives of common women within our society.”
Meanwhile, organizers of Carnival 2024 paid homage to Cultural Icon, the late Dr. Alwin Bully for his sterling and profound contribution to Dominica.
“We also pay tribute to the many great patrons who went before him,” Royer acknowledged.
Look it, the bling bling queen of Dominica. She even bleached her skin. She doesn’t like black.
She ain’t cut out as a politician or a minister in government. But a cheap performer in Skerrits corrupt circus befits her spot on. That one has no shame at all but but plenty of vanity.
Well my dear, that nonsense you are wearing certainly is not representing our cultural identity.
What you think you all are doing in parliament there should have been a vote of no confidence in these people. I hope.someone will do it. I wish citizens could do that
1. missing parliament and you are on social media in Hawaiian matching shirts and drinking from coconut with straw. Missing parliament
2. from budget day prime Minister has not said anything he is only is asking for.parliamnt to be adjourned.
3.Attending meetings outside and leaving and going home before it is over. First summit of the Americas, Canada summit and maybe.others.
4. As chair of caricom.how.can another leader be calling a meeting about the situation in Guyana and not you first and the meeting you called in your country you left and is attending one you have role in and the one you called you abandoned.
5. President taking on new role. Presidents are meeting other Presidents Heads of State. Ours meeting business people in countries which have their president. Macron is the president you all forgot. we cannot vote the president how do we ask the president to leave
Culture my foot you talking about. You have to spend on another island with Hawaiian shirt American tourists. who are these people and talking about culture. A person who has insecurity issues among government workers in an office. Stop this shit
you should be home doing bed duties. Your lucrative business void of patrons. no one is in there online shopping you all do.
people do not use the lucrative business in roseau I would like to see the balance sheet of this business. What is this. what school you went to and why would you think that others are this crass.
Geopolitically you all stand for nothing. a stand alone Melissa is nothing. I. that you all are nothing just someone who was elevated in BED.
JUGGLE Roseau Parl Rep memory. what were pulling from under the sea in Grand Bay and how were you able to do this. You really believe that you were hiding GEOPOLITICS is a dirty game.
you left your lucrative business to do this. looking like a clown. shameless full of scandals should be hiding. spreading behind bikes look .
at your role in the international community among.the wives of other leaders.
nothing I intellectual about you, lacking class, crass. You had a catherasis to wake up today after years of not dressing in the national wear. elevating some garbage multimillionaire with your fashion.nothingness.
have you ever looked at real women in political positions how they elevate their country culture and people. Today you are talking culture when the showcasing our wear and culture your husband and you’ find you all are too grand to to dress like the rest of us you and husband in grey suit and garbage.
carnival you spreading behind biker. Doing.the dirty.
Step Down Please. If you all were rich you would have gone to Harvard, or Cambridge or Oxford or MIT. Focus.need to return to your lack of academics
u brought those expensive outfits to have our young people almost naked and u call that carnival? no good example… carnival at its lowest…really Sodom….best all u just sow all u mouth…..
These people have simply no standards. Money, power and frivolity is their game. Dominicans are very susceptible to these things to. Is that their secret formula to political ‘success’?