LOOP: Antigua’s Carnival 2024 has been hailed as a triumph, with Minister Daryll Matthew, who holds responsibility for the festival, expressing his enthusiasm about the event’s achievements.
“I believe I can say without fair contradiction that we have had a very successful Canva 2024,” the Minister declared in a press conference this morning, highlighting the growth and improvements seen this year.
The festival saw significant increases across various aspects. Matthew noted, “We have seen an increase in our numbers, we have seen an increase in our participation, we have seen an increase in our corporate support.”
This growth in attendance, participation, and sponsorship underscores the festival’s growing popularity and economic impact.
One of the notable achievements this year was the on-stage presentation of prize money to the steel bands.
“For the first time this year, certainly the first time during my tenure, since 2018, we presented prize monies on stage to the bands,” Matthew proudly stated.
He detailed the prize structure, saying, “We presented, I believe it was $35,000 to the winning band, $30,000 to the first runner-up, $25,000 to the second runner-up, and all the unplaced bands received $20,000 each.”
The Minister emphasized, “We have a very deep appreciation of the cost that it takes to produce a panorama.”
Financial transparency and timely payments were generally prioritized this year.
Matthew explained, “The public would be fully aware that Queen of Carnival, Calypso Monarch, Soca Monarch, the Junior Events, we present prize monies on stage. The reason for that really is because, you know, we do not want our festival to be marred in controversy. And the biggest cause of controversy, most times, is money and finances.”
The organizers also made strides in ensuring prompt payment to service providers.
“I believe this year as well, we did quite well in ensuring that a lot of our service providers were paid. And were paid 75% of their funds prior to Carnival 2021. I cannot remember in recent times that this has happened,” the Minister added.
These financial improvements, coupled with increased participation and support, paint a picture of a carnival that is not only growing in scale and popularity but also in its operational efficiency and fairness.
In addition, there were only two violent incidents related to the festival.
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Good bye Carn evil. Happy to see you go
Look at the culture and beauty of the African tribe. Antigua needs to show more of our culture during carnival and less of the unsightly crude displays of indecency on our streets during carnival.
Carnival is no longer a family affair. The state of undress of the majority of the women’ costumes are a disgrace. Is this the face of Carnival that we want to present to the world at large?
@Ms Wadadli. Black people no matter where they are celebrate degeneracy. Carnival was to, I understand celebrate emancipation. This has veered so far from that. Antigua needs to revive and promote its traditions. A lot of our traditions are disappearing. It also needs to hold on to the traditions that survived 400 years of the slavevtrade.
@Ms Njemile, what right do you have to paint all black people with the same brush? We DO NOT all “celebrate degeneracy”. Watch what you say, shows your ignorance.
@Antiguan You can agree or disagree with me as you like. I do not have to watch what I say, as that is my OPINION!!!. Furthermore who the cap fit let them wear it. If you know that you do not celebrate degeneracy why respond? Your response shows your ignorance. You could have responded constructively.
@Antiguan – people are entitled to their opinion. Freedom of speak etc. If you don’t agree with the comment say so and put forward your reasons for not agreeing. It does not help resorting to disrespecting someone by calling them ignorant.
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