Strict Enforcement Of Carnival Rules In 2012

Details

Carnival

Saturday, 24 March 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Preparations for Carnival 2012 are in progress despite the absence of a Carnival Development Committee and as a first step a draft of the rules that will govern all carnival competitions has been completed.

The National Festival Office has announced that it has been mandated to begin some of the preparatory work ahead of the appointment of a CDC. Events Manager in the NFO, Annette Aflak, said the office has been asked to compile a set of rules that will govern participation in all Carnival events.

“We have completed the draft of these rules and the plan is for the Minister of Culture, Eleston Adams, to discuss them separately with all the interest groups. He will meet with calypsonians on Monday to be followed by pan and mas on Wednesday and Thursday,” She disclosed.

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She said after the rules have been discussed with the interests groups and if they agreed to them, then the registration for all carnival events will begin.

“We are ensuring that the interest groups have a say in the final set of rules because this year we intend to rigorously enforce all the rules,” she declared.

According to the Events Manager, among the set of rules is the stipulation that all participants in the various competitions must be citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. Another states that except for the junior carnival, teen splash and  junior calypso, all contestants in the other shows must have left primary and secondary schools.

She said other rules speak to aspects of the various shows. “For example, for people entering the Party Monarch, the rules speak to the number of beats that separate an up tempo song from one that is classified as groovy,” she explained.

Aflak disclosed that the NFO was also tasked with responsibility working along with the government’s IT Department to update the carnival website, assist the private fete organisers with their various events and compile a calendar of events leading up to carnival.


He added that the NFO has agreed to work along with the Antigua Football Association to plan activities to coincide with the matches with which the national team will be involved.

“We are also working along with the Tampa Bay carnival organisers to promote Antigua Carnival and Antigua generally at that event. The football match involving the national team and USA takes place in Tampa Bay, one day prior to its carnival,” she stated.

Adams has not yet named a CDC, the body responsible for planning and organizing Antigua Carnival

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