The grand finale of Lucian Carnival is almost here. Already, we can hear the words of Ezra D’Funmachine echoing in the distance: “Whole year we waiting / now we ready to mash up de road / now it’s de time to pull a stunt / cause when we reach de waterfront / we doing whatever de hell we want…”
Of course, Lucian Carnival is more than just the final two days of jump-up down to the Castries waterfront and into the city. It is weeks of celebration—storytelling through calypso, costume-making for the juniors and King and Queen of the Bands, steel pan, Power Soca, Groovy Soca, Dennery segment, and, of course, the fetes where we dance to all this good music.
The final two days kick off with J’Ouvert (opening of the day) on Monday morning. This tradition is deeply rooted in enslaved Africans asserting their freedom and preserving cherished instruments like the drum.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday, once referred to as “pretty mas”, close out the festival with thousands of revellers taking to the streets in vibrant mas bands. While some lament the fading of more cultural elements on these days, for many, it remains a time to free up and shed all inhibitions—a form of therapy.
Carnival also brims with socio-economic opportunities for creatives and suppliers: makeup artists, hairstylists, producers, songwriters, sound and lighting technicians, décor specialists, culinary service providers, transportation handlers, and the countless DJs and performers who bring the festival to life.
The tourism sector, one of our largest employers, benefits immensely from the influx of visitors drawn to Lucian Carnival each year.
We should take pride as a people in producing a festival that now attracts global attention, and in supplying most of the talent and resources needed to make it happen.
Yes, we are celebrating not just freedom, but ownership.
Through this festival, we’ve cultivated a cadre of world-class event professionals.
Yet, for Lucian Carnival to continue thriving, it must remain anchored in the heart and soul of our people—our history, our vibrant cultural expressions, and the creativity still visible in calypso and ole mas.
Inclusivity must always be central. Everyone who wishes to participate should have the opportunity. Exclusion risks undoing years of progress and fostering division.
As we welcome friends, family, and visitors to Lucian Carnival, let us embrace the spirit of togetherness and national pride. Let us remember its roots—a defiant march against oppression.
Lucian Carnival may not be “one size fits all”, but we can all find reasons to celebrate its evolution. For generations, Carnival has been a unifying cultural force, and this year should be no different. As De Ashanti once sang: “Boujwa kon maleway, mele kon nous pas mele.”
Whether we’re jumping in a band, hosting loved ones, or enjoying the festivities from the sidelines, let’s make this Lucian Carnival safe, joyful, and the best yet.
