In escaping the reliance on oil revenues, our nation ought to seriously look towards making changes in other sectors in order to be more competitive and prosperous. One such is Carnival, which should be moved to around the middle of the year.
The three-month period of May, June and July is suitable for it won’t clash with neighbouring islands’ carnivals. It will cease to be the lesser of the other well known festivals in Brazil and New Orleans and no longer dependent on dates determined by Lent. Our known Carnival season is shortened and constrained from being between Christmas and Ash Wednesday.
A three-month period is apt given the different facets of the season that needs time and to not clash with each other. Example, fetes that exist on the same night with others that suffer from low ticket sales and similarly low attendances despite performer lineups. A longer season means greater and better chances for all events to have optimal turnouts and successes.
Bandlaunchings can occur either at the beginning of the year or at the ending, thereby still giving longer time periods for mas bands to prepare. Non-carnival businesses ought to not suffer from this proposed change as they may view it as (perceived) disruption but most events are held at nights and on weekends. The “summer” period also means less traffic congestion for this is when academic institutions are closed.
Che Amoroso,
Port-of-Spain