Although St Vincent and the Grenadines is known for its relaxed way of life, it also knows how to party. The annual carnival, or Vincy Mas, is a much-anticipated event in the country’s calendar. Colourful and noisy, the celebrations include calypso and steel bands, costumes parades and street parties.
Starting in May, the party lasts until its culmination in July, with the famous street parties of J’Ouvert and Mardi Gras, where the Parade of Bands takes place. Visitors flock to Kingstown for these events, and provide a welcome boost for the local economy. Yet we should know that in 1872 the British banned the festival, and in 1879 the islanders fought for its return, and remember that at heart the carnival is a celebration of freedom from slavery. [Read more...]
