In a bid to expand the reach of Carnival to the global stage, the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association (TTPA) unveiled the “Carnival Industrial Complex” framework.
The framework aims to promote Carnival as a powerhouse while maintaining its cultural authenticity.
Board Advocate of the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association, Paige De Leon, outlined the key initiatives for the “Carnival Industrial Complex” framework at a Press Conference in Queen’s Hall on Wednesday.
“The Carnival Industrial Complex refers to the intricate system of interconnected businesses, cultural stakeholders, Government bodies, and global markets that profit from influence, and shape, the production and commercialisation of Caribbean-style Carnival events.”
Within the framework is the formation of the “Global Carnival Alliance,” which aims to unite Creatives, Event Producers, and Festival owners—all to guide towards a sustainable future for Carnival.
“The Caribbean Artists Syndicate will harness the views of the Creatives. The Caribbean Festival Syndicate will harness the views of Festival owners worldwide. The Caribbean Event Producers Syndicate will take its cues from the genius Event Producers that continue to wow the world. The Caribbean elite group, producers of the Caribbean Music Awards, will continue to grow their brand so that the industry has a place to pause and celebrate its best.”
She also highlighted the success of the music industry and its readiness to penetrate markets during this time, noting that “musicians understood the assignment.”
Ms. De Leon says maintaining the cultural authenticity of Carnival, while aiming for the global stage, is a concern that has to be faced.
“The question that we will have to answer because now where we are is in the valley of indecision with a bunch of questions we don’t know answers to. We have to answer them. Do we keep it Trinidad? Do we do Caribbean? If we want the numbers, if we want the support, if we want that economic space to be properly defined, Trinidad and Tobago has 1.2 million people, that’s the fact of it, so we have to figure out, what we really want and how we really go about getting it.”
She believes this year’s Carnival, despite being held under a State of Emergency, will be as festive as in previous years, with an even greater number of events leading up to the festivities.