The Ministry of Creative Industries will provide an update on the 2024 Carnival festivities at a press conference today, led by Festivals Minister Daryll Matthew and the National Festivals Commission.
They will discuss the festival’s successes, areas for improvement, increased participation, and new artists.
The team will also address a three-year contract with the Antigua and Barbuda Steel Bands Association to eliminate annual disputes and discuss changes in the judging criteria for the Party Monarch and Calypso competitions.
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This was the worst carnival I have ever experienced.
I visited to experience my first Antigua Carnival. The pan competition and Party Monarch were enjoyable. I paid for V.I.P. for the Miss Jaycees Pageant! The WORST V.I.P. experience in my life. Patrons were crammed under a small tent, food wasn’t available until after midnight. The liquors were readily available, however, I had to drink juice that they had to use as chasers for the rum because they seemed to have thought only rum drinkers would have been in V.I.P. We ending up standing to see the show. This was the worst! The jouvert was lit! Parade and last lap were boring and didn’t seem too organized to enter the grounds!
In relation to the Party Monarch, I think it’s unfair to judge groovy and power together. Power will always overpower a groovy song as people will be gravitating to the hype.
Honestly I think that these changes need to be done
1)For panorama bring back where the bands play a test piece and a tune of choice. There was a greater quality in the past when that was done.
2) Make the Queen of carnival part of the main attraction during the main week of shows. Like the Sunday after the opening.
3) The route for T’Shirt mas to be restricted to be in the city. Whereby incidents like the one that transpired doesn’t happen. You can start the route from Perry Bay.
I am expressing utter disappointment and join hundreds of nationals and visitors alike to level criticism at the operation and management of carnival. This minister; has planned the worst events in history and allegedly makes decisions based on emotion rather than logic, leading to multiple problems and chaos.
The minister “nepotise” and have a history of mishandling situations, including Education by taking a standdoff approach. The relevant parties must take corrective action to ensure a smoother and more successful carnival in the future. Morale Low!
Mr. Matthew, I hope in your assessment, you will consider the visitors & locals, old & young who are not patrons or members of any bands or troupes but choose to stay at the side to watch & enjoy the beauty of the parade.
Please note Sir, that every year the big gaps between the mas troupes is disgusting and makes the parade monotonous. In addition, the time taken to reach onto the main streets of St. Johns (Market St, Newgate St etc) is also of great concerns.
The placement of music between the troupes needs looking into also. The music seems to be unevenly distributed among the mass troupe.
I do hope next year 2025 will be better organised because this year was extremely disappointing.
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