BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jan.05.18 – SOME five months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, Dominica is set to kick start its annual Carnival activities – Mas Domnik.
That activity is set on bringing Dominicans together and highlighting the resilience of the people, while brightening their spirits.
Dominica’s Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, during the launch of the event today, said that knowing what the island has gone through since the passage of Hurricane Maria, the event would highlight Dominicans as resilient people
“As we have said over and over again, we are resilient people and this event is a manifestation of our resilience, and our collective resolve to rise beyond the ordinary. But our resilience would be tested, even more, in these coming months as we march to continue to build a country that can withstand the impacts of climate resilience, and can be able to forge a new direction and dispensation for greater progress.”
This year’s event, the Minister disclosed would be operating under a smaller budget owing to the current situation.
He revealed that Mas Domnik has an annual budget of $720,000, but this year would be operational with $263,000, acknowledging that they have taken a decision to scale back on the festival, but yet make it a celebration that “brings out the best in us”.
Tonge stated that they are being urged to use arts and culture of the national identity to create a “Carnival national product in 2018”.
While they are faced with the numerous challenges, Government officials believe that the island can benefit from the celebration of the national cultural event.
According to Tonge, apart from the economic benefits to be gained from the celebration, “Mas Domnik provides an opportunity for the creative community, costume builders, songwriters, music producers, seamstresses, tailors and performers of varying kind, to rise to the occasion [and] to present their craft in a unique and distinct manner”.
Carnival activities it was mentioned, would provide critical linkages in the rebuilding effort of the tourism sector for the island, since it creates an opportunity for the “accommodation sector, taxi drivers, vendors and other service providers”.
“As Carnival organizers and planners, we are calling on the youths and the elders to use this occasion not just to revel – which you should – but to set a new conversation, a new impetus for the collaboration and togetherness.”
Dominica’s Carnival is being celebrated under the theme: ‘Celebrating our Traditions’.
