Notting Hill Carnival kicks Off with Vibrant Children’s Parade and Tradition of Remembrance
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The annual Notting Hill Carnival commenced Sunday with a dazzling display of color and sound, as families and children took center stage in west London. More than a million people are anticipated to attend the festivities over the Bank Holiday weekend,celebrating Caribbean culture and community.
The day began at 6:00 BST with J’ouvert, a tradition meaning “daybreak” or “opening of the day” in French Creole, where revelers covered the streets in bright paint and powder. This marked the official start of the carnival celebrations, leading into the children’s parade featuring musicians and dancers in elaborate costumes.
A Festivity of Youth and Culture
Sunday was specifically designated as a day for families and children,and the streets were filled with carefully painted faces and glitter. A senior attendee remarked, “It’s great to see the youngsters enjoying themselves – they are all fantastic.” The parade showcased the next generation’s connection to the carnival, with children representing different countries joining the performances.
The event’s deep roots in Jamaican culture and Reggae music were also on full display, notably through the enduring tradition of sound systems. Organizers noted that these sound systems, alongside live stages featuring genres like rare groove, house, and samba, are integral to the Carnival experience. Live stages were set up in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square, beginning at noon.
A legacy of Remembrance
amidst the joy and celebration, a moment of solemnity was observed. At 3:00 PM on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence will be held to remember the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire, and also those who have died at Carnival in recent years and Kelso Cochrane, whose 1959 murder served as a catalyst for the event’s creation.
EastEnders star Rudolph Walker, who grew up with Carnival traditions in Trinidad, shared his personal connection to the event. “I come every year, it’s my tradition,” Walker stated. “I know what it does for my soul, my body, my peace of mind. The most vital thing is to see people together, young and old, having fun.”
Carnival Continues with Adult parade and Warm Weather
The Carnival will continue on Monday with the adult parade, additional live stages, and sound systems. Temperatures in Notting Hill are expected to reach 23C,providing ideal weather for the festivities. The annual celebration, now in its 50th year, remains a powerful symbol of cultural expression, community, and remembrance.
Why: The Notting Hill Carnival began as a way to celebrate Caribbean culture and community in London, and evolved as a response to racial tensions and tragedy. It serves as a vibrant expression of identity, remembrance, and unity.
Who: The Carnival is organized by the Notting Hill Carnival Limited and involves participation from a diverse range of communities, performers, sound systems, and attendees – estimated to exceed one million people. Key figures include organizers, performers, attendees like EastEnders star Rudolph walker, and those remembered during the silence, such as Kelso Cochrane and the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
What: the Carnival is a three-day street festival celebrating Caribbean culture, featuring J’ouvert, children’s parades, adult parades, live music (Reggae, samba, house, etc.), elaborate costumes, and sound systems. It also includes a moment of silence to commemorate past tragedies.
How did it end? The Carnival is ongoing, with the adult parade scheduled for Monday. The event concludes
