In support of Jomo’s position on Carnival

EDITOR: Full marks to Jomo Thomas, Voices talk show host, for setting the ball rolling on a long overdue carnival debate.

Full marks to La Toya De Roche-John, Girls’ High School headmistress, for the courage to speak her mind.

The nation awaits a serious national consultation on carnival- Vincymas; one where all stakeholders and all Vincentians natural and adopted share their views on the way forward.

All is not lost. At this point, we Vincentians are in a prime position to develop, to shape our beloved carnival.

In other spheres, we also have that same opportunity. We are a young developing nation. We should not get angry, impatient and despondent about our present stage of development or underdevelopment. Instead, we must embrace the golden opportunity to make meaningful contributions.

Takeaway questions explored during the voices programme include the following-

Is St. Vincent and the Grenadines SVG, doing research, surveys, collecting data on where carnival visitors originate, why they chose vincy mas, what aspect of vincy mas most attract them, how much money each intends to spend etc. ?

Is SVG seriously investing in calypso through training of writers and singers by starting early work in schools aiming at supporting junior calypso?

Are promoters and private sector entities willing to be more generous by funding rewards and prizes?

What exactly can be done to improve the quality and pricing of Carnival Development Committee CDC events and tent experience?

Is SVG mainly interested in making money out of carnival and who will get that money?

Should Vincymas be tourist driven or left to evolve naturally as an indigenous festival for our people, all visitors welcome of course.

Should private promoters be given duty free concessions, lower vat charges?

During the programme, Vincymas was referred to as a product.

Well, like with any product a country produces, need for direct focus on research and development.

Maralyn Ballantyne LL.B. Hons.