What Next?

We have just finished Carnival and need urgently to do a serious review that will inform next year’s 50th anniversary of the change of Carnival from its pre- lent origin to June/ July as presently obtains. This is urgent. One major problem that has to be addressed is the extraordinarily late start of some of the shows.

The Calypso semi-finals, FANTASTIC FRIDAY, and the Dimanche Gras show for which the Calypso finals is Central, started an hour late. At the finals they tried to disguise their late start by playing the National Anthem at about 8.30 but had us sitting or standing for about half an hour with some music and no attempt to inform when the show would begin. I was told that the organisers were waiting to have more patrons at the park. What is ironic about this is that these patrons, so called, usually wait until the show has started or about to start before making their way to the Park. My advice is to start the show at the time advertised and send a lesson. I am reminded of a professor when he went to his class found only two of about 40 students. He started immediately. The others came later but they learnt something! There are of course other matters that deserve attention. Someone phoned into one of the radio stations complaining about what he described as a plastic crown being put on the head of the Calypso Queen. The chair on which she sat, he said, was just as bad. We have to get our house in order!

A big issue being raised has to do with the number of ‘all-inclusive’ fetes that attract huge crowds, returning Vincentians and visitors. Many go from one ‘all inclusive’ to another and never make it to any of the official carnival shows. They would tell you that they enjoyed Vincy Carnival and are planning to be back next year. The question is, What is Carnival? Is it only about the official shows that emphasize the cultural side that traditionally has been the essence of Carnival? As we continue to develop our tourism the ‘all-inclusives’ will grow. The CDC has to find ways of making the traditional carnival package more attractive. Keeping patrons waiting for over an hour after the announced time for starting is certainly not the way to go. Is it possible to find some space/way to display features of our traditional mas at these fetes? The problem is that these precede the start of the official Carnival. Will the mas bands be willing to display some of their costumes even before they make their appearances on stage? It also depends on the nature of the ‘all-inclusives’. But Come high or low the “all-inclusives” are here to stay.

But the 2026 Carnival has passed, and our next big event/celebration is the anniversary of Emancipation. Over the years this was an occasion for a picnic. West Kingstown under the honourable Daniel Cummings, has for many years, been having their celebration at the Netball Centre. This year there is an effort to make it more of a national celebration at the Victoria Park. (By the way what is the name, Victoria or Independence? Were we allowed to have a say on this?) Efforts it appears are being made to have activities and attractions that will cater to a diverse number of people, particularly the children. In the past one of the features was to have a presentation on the meaning and significance of ‘Emancipation’. I have for a number of years made my contribution and will do so again.

For me the anniversary of Emancipation is a time not only to celebrate, although I am not sure that today the celebration has much meaning. What we need to do is to reflect on a journey that began on August 1, 1838. This is essential because there is much that can inform the direction in which our country goes. But we also need to go beyond this and to reorganise the teaching of history in our schools. No student should graduate without being exposed to what Vincentian history is all about and its essence and significance for a population still suffering colonial pains.

August 1 will be 188 years since our once enslaved were given some space to refashion their lives. But it was difficult given the obstacles that blocked that space. Our country operated then under a colonial system that lasted until 47 years ago. What we had or were given was something that is best described as Flag Independence, a new flag and anthem. Have we been able to use the space that was given to us to make a meaningful impact on our lives? This is a conversation not only on the anniversary of Emancipation but must be part of our thinking and must continue beyond August 1. I must congratulate West Kingstown on trying to make August 1, a National festival. This was long needed!

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian