carnival – World Culture Journal

South-South cooperation: Brazzaville, Congo will host Colombian Barranquilla’s Carnival

Wambué Youkalí — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:32:37 +0000

South-South cooperation :Brazzaville, Congo will host Colombian Barranquilla’s Carnival

The event, which will be held fort he fort he first time October 8-11, 2013 in the Congolese capital shall promote the country´s cultural heritage. Initiated by the UNDP consultant Clara Ines Chaves, the Carnival shall also serve as a tool to „…achieve sustainable development“.

The Carnival de Barranquilla is considered one of the most colorful carnivals in the world and has been included by the UNESCO on its „world´s intangible heritage“ list.

www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org

Carnival of Cultures

Wambué Youkalí — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:05:36 +0000

Carnival of Cultures

How will it continue despite financial difficulties?

As much as the Carnival 2013 has been again a colorful and beautiful event in Berlin, concerns and questions has been raised everywhere -not only in the preparation to this years carnival, also during the event and afterwards. How will it continue? Will the disappearance of participating groups continue? How will it be possible to find more potential donors and sponsors, who understand the value of a multi-cultural event in the growing city; or to increase the funding in general?

The majority of visitors is just enjoying the “Volksfest” and not very much interested in the politics and existing difficulties behind the scenes. However, when I asked around during the event, it was obvious that some people had realized the decreased numbers of groups in the parade (20 less than in 2012). Should this trend continue, the main event of the Carnival may become insignificant.

So it seems to be very urgent, that the organizers find new ways to find a minimal support for all groups, in order to motivate the former and would-be groups to participate (again). Yes, it is urgent, because many of the groups are planning one year ahead to have enough time to make their costumes, to coordinate musicians or to organize a truck.

An event, which was once on the way to rise to the level of the Nottinghill Carnival in London is now in danger of falling to the importance of a local street fest. But who will step in and find new ways to revive the event ? We will observe the developments and keep you posted.

18th Carnival of Cultures in Berlin

WB. — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:34:56 +0000

For the 18th time, Berlin will celebrate the following weekend its “Carnival of Cultures”, with a 3-day street fest, a children parade and the largest event: a street parade with over 70 participating floats and groups.
Even though, the carnival is drawing an increasingly large crowd (last year estimated visitor number was around 1,3 Million), the carnival is having substantial financial problems. Especially the colorful multi-cultural groups – mostly organized by volunteers – are running into difficulties getting their costumes and floats financed. For the first time, this year has seen a drop in the number of participating groups due to these reasons.
However, for the organizers the worries for 2014 will start only after this weekends celebrations.