The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

There are many forms of cultural expressions in The Bahamas. There is energy and excitement of Junkanoo and rake and scrape music. There are masterful Bahamian carvings, sculptures and paintings. There are the performing arts and literary masterpieces.

As a people, we have a very diverse culture which is shaped by a confluence of many nationalities including the dominant African ethnic influences combined with the English, Greek, Chinese and Creole.

I am firmly of the belief that Junkanoo Carnival can be a meaningful cultural event if the focus is broadened to include all forms of Bahamian culture even though the main focus is a Junkanoo Carnival experience.

Mr Paul Major and his committee is to be congratulated for the hard work they have put into this year’s Junkanoo Carnival and his recent explanations to the public about the objectives of Junkanoo Carnival have convinced me that we should give Junkanoo Carnival a chance.

Junkanoo and soca are exciting art forms, but I urge Mr Major and his committee to expand the Junkanoo Carnival experience by including all forms of artistic expressions and experiences.

Members of my family participated over the weekend in the Bahamas Masqueraders road parade and they were all very pleased with the experience.

Many families were out at Breezes parking lot enjoying themselves. If this is a sample of how Junkanoo Carnival is going to be then I think it will be a significant addition to our cultural life, especially for the young people.

JUNKANOO ENTHUSIAST

Nassau,

February 8, 2015.