There will be no Mardi Gras parade through the streets of Ryde this year, organisers have announced.
Instead, The New Carnival Company (NCC) has been working with Isle of Wight schools and national carnival organisers to bring the joy of carnival to children, teachers, and families in a different way at the end of what has already been an extremely difficult and challenging academic year.
The National Children’s Carnival Week will replace the annual Mardi Gras celebrations this year, and everyone is invited to take part!
Although Mardi Gras will not be returning to the streets of Ryde in June, all is not lost. The NCC has hatched a scheme to enable not just 1 Mardi Gras, but many, to pop up all over the Island, in playgrounds, sports fields and outdoor community spaces, as part of a UK wide project to launch a National Children’s Carnival Week (12th-18th July).
Frankie Goldspink, Creative Director at NCC explains:
“The idea for a National Children’s Carnival Week arose in conversation with the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA) in Luton. Like us, they were faced with a re-imagining for their event – Luton International Carnival – usually held in May. This meant that many schools who would normally engage in costume making and parading were missing out for the second year running. The pandemic has had devastating impacts on our young people, with teachers and parents coming under enormous pressure to keep children learning through the pandemic.”
The idea quickly took off and has now spread across the country, with carnivals in London, Bristol, Hastings, Northampton, Norwich, Derby and Bridgwater all planning to join in. Each carnival is offering a fully supported arts package to schools and youth organisations to make the process of creating their own carnivals ‘at home’ totally safe and stress free.
Clary Salandy, Artistic Director at UKCCA, who is leading the national programme, said:
“Our dream is to have all the children in the UK celebrate carnival together in their schools. We aim to inspire children and young people through the creation of costumes, music, songs, and dance, in a celebration which will provide uplifting experiences and radiate the warmth and camaraderie that everyone desperately needs”.
The New Carnival Company will be sharing their special theme ‘Colours of the Rainbow’ and are offering all schools and community family groups FREE online workshops, plus supported packages where artists can securely visit school to help out (small charge). There is even an online dance session planned and a specially written children’s carnival song.
For more information on National Children’s Carnival Week and how to get involved contact the New Carnival Company by emailing [email protected] or calling 07794 699558. Schools can also access our PowerPoint presentation at https://www.thenewcarnivalcompany.com/mardi-gras/event-info/.
