The Tribune

INTERNATIONAL judges may be invited to take part in Junkanoo parades in the future, it was announced yesterday.

Officially launching this year’s Junkanoo season at a press conference yesterday, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Danny Johnson said individuals from other countries who have particular areas of expertise may be asked to join “Bahamian masters” in overseeing the annual parades.

The plan to invite these local cultural “masters” to give their opinion on the performances is itself part of the controversial new rule regime that will govern Junkanoo judging beginning this Boxing Day.

Some Junkanoo groups has objected to the changes, claiming they are too last minute, but parade organisers yesterday said the whole point of the new system is to make judging fairer, more simple and more transparent.

Chairman of the parade committee Douglas Hanna added that for the first time this year, the identity of judges will be announced before the parades commence.