Dear Editor,
Carnival is such a beautiful event; so many people in costumes jumping and enjoying themselves. Despite our differing views, one thing we can agree on is the happiness that the festival engenders at all levels of the Jamaican society.
Every year, it brings together thousands of people over a season of fetes and cultural events, all leading up to a carnival weekend of wild celebration in street parades around Kingston.
We cannot put a dollar value on the harmony and happiness that surround carnival and engulf the population. The stress relief it provides to thousands who "free up" themselves at shows and fetes no doubt saves them tens of millions of dollars in medical bills they would incur if there were no carnival.
One significant positive aspect has been the inclusion of dancehall music in the mainstream Carnival, both here in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. Another positive development has been the increase in direct participation in the carnival parade. Bands are larger, and players of all nationalities, ethnicities and economic groups are taking part.
Carnival is everything: a march for our freedom, individual expression, street theatre, and regional integration at work. We must exploit the Jamaican carnival product, diversifying and fuelling the economy by earning millions of foreign exchange dollars.
Now is the time for the Culture Minister Lisa Hanna and Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill to examine what financial role the Government of Jamaica can play in rebranding and repackaging Jamaica Carnival as the greatest carnival show on earth. They should pay particular attention to managing and developing a unique product, attracting tourists particularly from other Caribbean islands and South America. Like Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, Grenada, and other countries, we must create a far superior and marketable product than our competitors.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Carnival is for stress relief; cash in on it
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Carnival is such a beautiful event; so many people in costumes jumping and enjoying themselves. Despite our differing views, one thing we can agree on is the happiness that the festival engenders at all levels of the Jamaican society.
Every year, it brings together thousands of people over a season of fetes and cultural events, all leading up to a carnival weekend of wild celebration in street parades around Kingston.
We cannot put a dollar value on the harmony and happiness that surround carnival and engulf the population. The stress relief it provides to thousands who "free up" themselves at shows and fetes no doubt saves them tens of millions of dollars in medical bills they would incur if there were no carnival.
One significant positive aspect has been the inclusion of dancehall music in the mainstream Carnival, both here in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. Another positive development has been the increase in direct participation in the carnival parade. Bands are larger, and players of all nationalities, ethnicities and economic groups are taking part.
Carnival is everything: a march for our freedom, individual expression, street theatre, and regional integration at work. We must exploit the Jamaican carnival product, diversifying and fuelling the economy by earning millions of foreign exchange dollars.
Now is the time for the Culture Minister Lisa Hanna and Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill to examine what financial role the Government of Jamaica can play in rebranding and repackaging Jamaica Carnival as the greatest carnival show on earth. They should pay particular attention to managing and developing a unique product, attracting tourists particularly from other Caribbean islands and South America. Like Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, Grenada, and other countries, we must create a far superior and marketable product than our competitors.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Carnival is for stress relief; cash in on it
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