Carnival foundation
answers accusations
~ Ready to welcome input and recommendations ~
PHILIPSBURG--In response to various grievances expressed by key stakeholders in this year’s Carnival, as the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) recalls the activities of the past few weeks, the members of the foundation have stated that they find it due time to welcome the input and recommendations of all the participants and the public at large.
To date, the foundation has received quite some feedback, some extremely positive and some outlining areas for improvement. The foundation said it had defined and implemented a series of rules and regulations designed to ensure a well-organised and safe festive season, in an effort to govern and gauge its performance.
SCDF explained that by no stretch of the imagination were the rules designed to take away the fun factor of Carnival, but to enhance it.
SCDF wants to make it abundantly clear to the public that all the rules, regulations and participation criteria are communicated to all participants via periodic meetings well in advance and are provided in writing. According to SCDF, it is the participants’ responsibility to voice any concerns or issues these guidelines will have on their participation, prior to date of performance.
In response to grievance expressed by a troupe leader regarding the inclusion of a foreign band in her troupe presentation during the grand parades, SCDF has recognised that few have raised the concern and views this concern as very valid. However, as a strong supporter of promoting St. Maarten’s “own,” SCDF has informed troupe leaders that to engage a foreign band, they must first ensure that no other local bands are available.
An exemption to this rule is available to foreign troupes accompanied by a band from their native country. In this case, the troupe is required to pay the applicable fees to the foundation.
According to SCDF, another valid concern raised is the required arrival time for participating revellers and bands on site prior to start time. Current SCDF rules state that everyone should be on site no less than one hour prior to starting time. This is to ensure an orderly line-up of the troupes and provide adequate inspection of all mobile units by the police.
SCDF explained that this requirement was not at all new to the troupe leaders. However, it is now being strongly enforced by the police. SCDF fully supports the police in all their efforts to ensure the safety of the Carnival participants and the public.
Commenting on the “no re-entrance policy,” SCDF explained that show promoters and SCDF had lost significant revenue by people trying enter the venue without paying. The wristbands and the stamps have been forged in the past, resulting in losses being experienced by the promoter and/or SCDF.
To that end, promoters and SCDF concluded that the no re-entry policy was the best means to curtail the fraud. In addition, police authorities were also in favour of the restriction, as the constant build-up of a crowd on the outskirts of the village was becoming too much to be controlled by police and posed a possible threat to the public’s safety.
The judging of Carnival events is another concern that had been raised. This concern is a major priority for SCDF. Activities of the past years have made it extremely difficult for SCDF to find qualified volunteers. The ridicule received from troupe leaders, calypsonians, supporters and revellers has served as a deterrent. SCDF board is continuing to explore alternative means to address this concern fairly and welcomes additional constructive input.
The foundation believes information shared by the Carnival stakeholders to be invaluable to its efforts to raise the calibre of decency and excellence the people of St. Maarten deserve from this festive occasion.
SCDF President Fabiana Arnell will further discuss Carnival 2008 on Lloyd Richardson’s show on PJD2 1300AM on Wednesday. The board and staff of SCDF appreciate the various contributions, remarks, suggestions and concerns by everyone involved in Carnival and look forward to more open and more positive dialogue as the preparations for St. Maarten’s 40th Carnival celebration in 2009 get underway.
