NCC to resume stakeholder consultations

The National Carnival Commission of TT (NCC) says it will continue to explore viable ways of restructuring, innovating and digitally promoting Carnival and its many events, in light of the Prime Minister’s announcement that Carnival 2021 will not be held.

In a release, the commission said it is in complete accord with the announcement, as the preservation of lives and livelihoods is of paramount importance.

It said given the expected trajectory of the covid19 pandemic, it is highly unlikely at this time to consider the staging of the annual festival as a given.

So its next steps, it said, "as an organisation committed to cultural development and celebration, depend heavily on building on the groundwork that we have already laid in place with our stakeholders to restructure and innovate Carnival and its many events, and exploring viable ways of digitally promoting the festival, while safeguarding both its sustainability and the nation’s health and wellbeing."

The NCC remains optimistic as the Government’s announcement has undoubtedly further opened the way for meaningful discourse with regard to how we can still celebrate Carnival beyond the scope of a purely physical event, and provide avenues for many of the Festival’s industries and members to grow and develop during this challenging time.”

The organisation said it would resume stakeholder consultations with all relevant partners, including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, to map out its next steps.