THE RETURN of the Notting Hill Carnival, following the Covid-19 pandemic, has been endorsed by the Prince Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, during a visit to the heart of the annual jamboree.
The tour of the Tabernacle, also known as Carnival Village, by the heir to the throne was welcomed by organisers of the Carnival and Caribbean artists.
The visit exposed the best of Carnival history and culture. The Royal couple witnessed a photography exhibition, masquerade dancers, wire sculptors and performances from Ebony and Mangrove Steel bands. It also revealed The Prince of Wales latent abilities as a steel band player, as he joyfully played the drums.
Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Limited, believes the visit will boost perceptions of the occasion. Speaking to The Voice said: “The visit of Prince Charles and his wife at the heart of the Carnival community will add to the acceptance of the event, among mainstream Britain.
“Prince Charles has displayed genuine support for the Carnival spanning over 40 years. During difficult times when big voices were trying to stop the event, without support from individuals like Prince Charles, the occasion would not be taking place in 2022.”
Ansel Wong, the former chair of the Notting Hill Carnival Board and founder of Elimu Mas Band, agrees with Phillip’s sentiments.
He said: “The visit from members of the Royal family will change the optics of the Carnival in London, where some view the event negatively. Also, it is a reminder of the cultural contribution made by members of the Caribbean to the United Kingdom.
“Going back to the mid-1970s Prince Charles sent messages of support to the organisers of the Notting Hill Carnival and when local politicians demanded the event be stopped, he came to our assistance.”
In letters sent to Notting Hill Carnival organisers the Prince of Wales often described its “unique mixture of social harmony and cultural diversity” and the “benefits and value this can bring to the life of the whole community.”
Despite the two-year absence of Carnival, mas band and sound systems will have an increased presence for the 2022 event. There will 38 sounds systems across the Carnival route and 84 mas bands.
In addition to the August bank holiday activities Carnival Culture in The Park will return as part of the line-up at Opera Holland Park, between the 17 and 20th of August. David Rudder, the calypsonian, will be performing on the Friday evening of the 19th of August, along with pan jazz artists.
According to Matthew Phillip although the Covid-19 pandemic caused the last two Notting Hill Carnivals to take place online, the community’s appreciation for the event remains buoyant.
The CEO said: “In returning to the streets we can once again celebrate the culture, diversity and inclusivity that makes this event so amazing. We can’t wait to hear and see everything that is unique about Notting Hill Carnival, back where it belongs.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also joined the chorus of approving voices who were ‘looking forward to the sights and sounds of this world-famous returning to our streets’.
The UK’s largest and most important celebration of culture, diversity and inclusivity will once again be full with vibrant colours, incredible music, dancing and delicious food during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
As is tradition, Carnival will start before sunrise with J’Ouvert on August 28, followed by the children’s parade which begins at 10:30am immediately after the opening ceremony.
This year will see a group of participants from the Emancipated Run Crew wearing green lead the parade and will complete the route in their own time in honour of those who died in the Grenfell Tower tragedy five years ago and August 29 will be the traditional parade starting from midday.
Panorama, the UK’s biggest and most important Steel Pan Competition takes place on the evening that precedes Carnival (August 27) at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park (tickets for Panorama will be available from here).
Mas Bands and Static Sound System numbers are actually increasing for 2022 and carnivalists can enjoy 38 booming sound systems playing everything from house to calypso and 84 Mas Bands full of celebratory colour and vibrancy.
Khan said: “I am thrilled to welcome back Notting Hill Carnival and am looking forward to the sights and sounds of this world-famous returning to our streets and bringing communities and visitors together in celebration.
“Over the August bank holiday weekend, there will be something for everyone with fantastic music, food and amazing, colourful parades lining the streets.
“Notting Hill Carnival showcases the spirit and soul of our city and the values we all hold so dear and reminds us that our city’s greatest strength is in our diversity, vibrancy and energy.”
In June, hundreds of performers from the Notting Hill Carnival community including masqueraders, steelpan players and cylipsonias performed at this year’s Jubilee celebrations outside of Buckingham Palace.
An especially formed steel pan band of over 100 players going by the name of UK All Steel Percussion Orchestra came together from a number of UK bands and delivered two songs by Lord Kitchener: ‘Pan in ‘A’ Minor’ and ‘London is the Place for Me’.
For the first time this year a fully electric truck will be taking a band on the parade. Developed by Carnival Village Trust, this new innovation was given its debut outing playing a vital part of Glastonbury Festival and Notting Hill Carnival’s first ever official collaboration that happened earlier this summer and saw members of the community run workshops and parade through the festival’s fields through the entire weekend. The eco truck is the first step in working with bands to look at electric options in the years to come.
In addition to the August bank holiday and following its huge success in 2021, Carnival Culture In The Park will be making a return to Opera Holland Park from August 17-20.
The four nights will see some of the world’s leading Calypso artists and steel pan players perform over four unique nights – August 17 – Steelband Summer In Concert. August 18 – Calypso Masquerade.
August 19 – Pan Jazz and An Evening With King David Rudder Calypsonian Extraordinaire.
Tickets are available from here.
New film will celebrate life of journalist and Notting Hill Carnival founder Claudia Jones
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3 Comments
I dearly wished that African-Caribbean men and women’s contribution was more than another “Song & Dance,” on the expensive streets of Notting Hill.
This is amazing to hear the story and to see the Royals supporting our culture. I applaud the organization on a job well done and wishing you a 2022 Epic come back. Bravo.
Claudia Jones is not and have never been a founder of Notting Hill Carnival, stop trying to change our history.