Notting Hill Carnival - Love Music Hate Racism thinks it’s great
Did you hear about the groups of tourists that descended on Notting Hill during the August bank holiday weekend to attend what they thought most likely to be something similar to a village fete - cake sales and tombolas - in fact what they thought would epitomise the blockbuster film, Notting Hill - in which may I add there is not a single black person? Anyway what they got was Notting Hill Carnival.
Anyone who has been will know that tombola prize draws and cake sales are not even close to the steel pan drums and pineapple punch of Notting Hill Carnival, which is also the biggest street carnival in Europe and has been going for over 40 years.
Many people forget or are not aware of the fact that the carnival takes place as a celebration of the abolition of the slave trade – which may be even more resonant this year considering it’s the 200th anniversary. The carnival is also a means of celebrating the cultures, heritage and traditions of the Caribbean communities in London, in particular West London. Celebrating Caribbean culture this way in the UK was very much inittiated by Claudia Jones, who played a pivotal role in organising the annual showcases for Caribbean talent which became Notting Hill carnival - this showcase was also very much seen as a portrayal of the resistance to racism and inequalities experienced by various communities in London at the time. Every year there seems to be a great community feel and sense of pride – months and months are spent creating magnificent costumes and decorating floats for the procession.
Although the carnival is essentially a celebration of the afro-caribbean communities in London a fantastic mix of people from all over the world attend. There’s also a wonderful fusion of music, even though most of the key carnival tunes are often calypso, dancehall and soca – there are so many sound systems that there really is something for everyone.
The Love Music Hate Racism message of unity - particularly within communities and local areas is a very similar message to what the entire carnival vibe represents, which we obviously back 100 per cent.
Notting Hill Carnival - August 26-27
