Britain> Top Annual Events

Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is the biggest arts event in Europe. Its origin is associated with Black Caribbean immigrants to the UK. As carnival-style events are very popular in that region of the world, its representatives naturally decided to recreate them in this strange land. Notting Hill was chosen as the center because it had many Black inhabitants, who suffered racism and were disenfranchised.

You can see that the carnival has a truly inspirational and exceptional origin. It was established to bring people together. The importance of harmony and multiplicity has been retained to the present day. In fact, Unity and Diversity was the theme of the Notting Hill Carnival in 2005.

In the middle of the last century, traditional dances and music united the Black immigrants in the northern parts of London. This gave rise to the idea of including a musical performance in the festival program, which could allow people of different ethnicities and races to express themselves. The Steel Band was introduced in 1964 and became immensely successful.

Most immigrants arrived in London from Trinidad. In the 19th Century, Trinidad authorities still tolerated slavery, and the subjugated social classes were not allowed to play music or take part in festivals. They were also prohibited from being out after dark without their masters. The slaves were freed in 1833, and their immediate response was to rush out into the streets, singing and dancing euphorically.

This ritual had an ironic aspect - many former slaves ostracized their masters in the process. They dressed up like them and made masks resembling their faces, giving rise to a whole tradition of costume-making. The event quickly grew in popularity, soon drawing people from all over the Caribbean. A century later, it was transferred to the UK.

The central location of the Notting Hill Carnival is Labroke Grove. Since 1966, the Carnival has taken place in London on the last weekend of August. Apart from carnival costumes and steel drums, it features floats, registered with the Notting Hill Mas Bands Association, and many food stands, including some that serve delectable examples of Caribbean cuisine. The event consisted of only a small parade in the 1960s, but today the number of participants exceeds two million. They arrive from all regions of the world, facilitating a vibrant blend of ethnicity, art, culture, dance and music. There's no such thing as a spectator here; if you're in the location, then you're part of the carnival. Nobody ever gets left out.

The Notting Hill Carnival is based on five major factors. They are Static Sound Systems, Mas, Steel Band, Soca and Calypso. The Static Sound Systems can be as many as 45, playing music of all genres including jazz, rap, house and reggae. Modern music is always welcome here, as it draws the younger crowd. The Mas is a very important part of the phenomenon. The name comes from Masquerade, and is connected with the carnival costumes. The Steel Band is a distinct musical aspect, more traditional than the Sound Systems. The Calypso is not only a staple element of the carnival itself, but also a forerunner of the event. The Calypso tent takes place every Friday evening before the Carnival weekend. It is a music show featuring only the best Calypso and Soca performers. The Calypso proper is comprised of social and political commentary with a musical background. The Soca is typical Notting Hill Carnival music, a blend of Calypso and soul.

These five main aspects are facilitated and supported by five unique organizations - the Association of British Calypsonians for Calypso, the British Association of Sound Systems for Static Sound, the British Association of Steelbands, the Caribbean Music Association for Soca and the Notting Hill Mas Bands Association for the Mas. The message of the artistic event is simple - enjoy yourself, be safe, and respect others. We can definitely say that the cultural values of 19th-Century Trinidadians have been preserved. What's more, today they are stronger than ever.