Visiting Member of Parliament for St Mary’s South in Antigua and Barbuda, Kelvin Simon, has signalled efforts to strengthen his country’s Carnival while fostering collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago for future Carnival-related events moving forward.
Speaking with TTT News ahead of his meeting at the Academy of Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Simon reiterated the importance of emulating our local Carnival traditions on a global platform.
As an avid participant in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, he highlighted various aspects he intends to integrate into his home country, from organising events to attracting large international crowds.
“I see people as far as Africa coming here, Europe, throughout the Caribbean. I think I would have seen almost every flag represented in Trinidad and Tobago every year.”
He proposed that one way for the region to host more organised events while attracting larger crowds is through the establishment of a Regional Carnival Board.
“So it is more commercialised, I would say, in Trinidad and Tobago. And it’s something that I would honestly like to see being replicated throughout the Caribbean. Even as far as to have maybe a Board that oversees Carnival, just as how we have Caricom that oversees the affairs of trade and all of that within the region. If we can get it to that level so that we can all lift the product island by island and advertise our region to the world, I think we have the best region.”
Mr. Simon stressed that governments should do more to maintain and sustain their unique Carnival traditions, noting that the best way to achieve this is by educating young people.
“The art form is definitely something that’s synonymous with who we are and where we’re coming from as a people. And it’s something that I think is losing its way in the shadows. And I think that it should be always brought to the forefront because, I mean, that’s who make us the people that we are at the end of the day. And it should be taught at all levels of society from the very smaller ones all the way up to the top.”
Mr. Simon said he hopes to gain as much knowledge as he can so that he can help further enrich his country’s Carnival product while fostering ties with other Caribbean islands, starting right here in T&T.
“I’m doing this research so that I can find ways for us to work together. I’m the MP on the opposition bench, but I shadow culture, sport, youth development. So I’m not waiting until I get there to try to do the work. I’m doing it now so that when I get there, I can hit the ground running.”