CUBA CARNIVAL

Article taken from the Trinidad Express on May 23rd 2011

Cuba to host Trini-style carnival
Story Created: May 22, 2011 at 11:50 PM ECT


Cuba is paying tribute to the T&T Carnival

This year Cuba's "Fiesta del Fuego" (Fire Festival) or literally translated as the Festival of Fire, would be incorporating Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival in their annual parade, which takes place from July 3 to 9.

Derrick Lewis, founder of Island People, has already gathered 21 boxes of costumes and materials and would be formally presenting them to Humberto Rivero Rosario, Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, today. In advance of this last Friday, an informal presentation was made to representatives of the Cuban Embassy. The items are all locally made and include headpieces, costumes and fabric.

Lewis said he was "informally asked" to contribute to this year's Festival. Lewis said the opportunity to assist was an honour adding he was given short notice and was unable to contact most of the other bandleaders but hopes that they would also contribute.

Lewis said however he was not invited to be a part of the contingent heading to Cuba.

According to the website http://www.ehow.com the Fire Festival was created in the early 1980's as a theatre festival, with the intent of recognising the importance of various unique cultures. It expanded gradually to include elements of the greater American and African indigenous roots.

I would love to see how this turns out, and of course I also love that there's a potential new Carnival destination ;) I've noticed that of late Cuba has really been trying to make changes to their way of life so that they're not so isolated from the world and definitely working towards giving their citizens more freedom, choices and options. It's amazing that they have included expanding their Carnival with their other undoubtedly more pressing and 'serious' programs and I hope that their Carnival comes off spectacularly!