The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Democratic National Alliance yesterday urged the Christie administration to “revamp” its unprofitable carnival product, suggesting the government re-establish the Junkanoo in June concept that the party claimed “worked better for all involved.”

Emily Williams, the DNA’s spokesperson for culture and Marathon candidate, said the government is outright “contradicting itself” in the handling of its “ludicrous” Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival festival.

She told reporters that the Progressive Liberal Party launched the festival last spring under the guise that the event would capture the richness and uniqueness of Bahamian culture, while also providing mainstream economic benefits to hundreds of Bahamians.

Ms Williams yesterday described carnival as a concept that was oversold and under-delivered by both Prime Minister Perry Christie and Culture Minister Dr Daniel Johnson in the build-up to the inaugural festival.

She said all the proposed benefits have fallen flat and the government’s approach to this year’s festival has left many to speculate the event would once again end as an unprofitable flop.

Referring to her history in the local music industry, Ms Williams insisted that there is a serious disconnect between the present government and local artists, with a number of performers adopting the perception that the current administration has “no clue about what culture in the Bahamas really is.”

According to the former secular artist, the government’s “unrealistic” festival hasn’t succeeded because it is looking to profit from a product that isn’t “authentically Bahamian.”

She said unlike Junkanoo, carnival exists only as street party that draws most of its attention on the “naked flesh” of participants.

“It taints our culture in the Bahamas because our Junkanoo parades place most of its attention on the music and costumes, not on the naked bodies of our people. If we are going to use our cultural product to expose and promote what is authentically Bahamian, then we must take into consideration as a people and a government the kind of message we want to send to the world about a Bahamian experience.

“A dream is only a dream, but reality is real. Let’s revamp Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, which has only proven to be an expensive, cultural party, and revisit the idea of Junkanoo in June which has more long-term benefits for Bahamian artists, the Bahamian public and those who may decide to visit here for a cultural experience.”

She said it takes vision and planning to make cultural festivals work. She added that with the right attitude and the right motive, the Bahamas can in the future become a place where tourists would flock to every summer because for a true cultural experience.

“Junkanoo in June should be the very thing we should invest in. I do believe that if a government will seek to invest half the money we invested in Junkanoo Carnival 2015, and properly plan the event so that both the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism can work hand-in-hand to make this event all that it can be, then I believe that the world will want to come to our shores during summer vacations to experience a Junkanoo in June, not only in New Providence, but also on our major Family Islands.”

On Thursday, The Tribune reported that this year’s festival would not feature a headline act.

Robert Sands, commissioner and chairman of the marketing committee for carnival, said the lack of a headliner won’t affect the way the event will be received, predicting that more tourists would attend this year’s event compared to last year.

That came as the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association President Dario Terrelli vented his frustration in comments made to the Nassau Guardian over what he called the “lack of organisation” surrounding this year’s festival.

Mr Terrelli said it was “concerning” and “very frustrating” that many of the festival’s “key details” are still unknown weeks ahead of the 2016 festival.

Beyond Mr Sands’ recent comments to The Tribune, little has been said publicly about the government’s plans for this year’s festival.

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will take place on May 5-7 in New Providence, with a kick-off event from April 15-16 in Grand Bahama.