By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 5th January 2023)- Minister of Culture with responsibility for Carnival Samal Duggins has rated Sugar Mas 51 “wonderful” one despite the challenges experienced. In media comments given during the Lap Las street activity held on Tuesday 3rd January 2023, the Carnival Minister had this to say: “Sugar Mas 51, look at it everyone is here celebrating as one . we saw talent, artistry and vibes altogether here and I’m just happy to be part of it and watch it move and today we’re in Las Lap, and I think at the end of it all given all the circumstances having just a few months to plan, having supply chain issues coming out of COVID, everything by any standard has been a wonderful carnival , a great carnival and I’m happy to be a part of this.” He touched on the challenges of being a new government in office also.“This year was a particular challenge because we got into office in August and all of this had to be done between then and now and there were a number of other challenges around that…
So being the minister responsible, I’m just happy to see the results and it shows the tenacity of our people because it is an all inclusive event; carnival is about all of us and look at what’s happening, look around you…,” he commented. As it relates to small buisnesses participating in Sugar Mas 51, Duggins who is also the Minister of Entrepreneurship expressed: “ Our business people had a real chance to get a jump start post COVID and carnival has really done a great job in doing that so I’m very pleased, I’m very happy.
Meanwhile, Carnival Chairperson Shannon Hawley speaking to the media the day before (1st 2nd January) on the occasion of the grand parade, shared: “It [carnival] has been amazing .I’m sure you can see thousands of participants on the road revellerswith over 10 troupes from folklore troupes, eight mass bands; it has been spectacular. We [are] really, really excited to have everybody back on the road.” Commenting on Sugar Mas 51 being in full swing, she replied: “It has been a whirlwind.
We made a decision to go full force in September and between September and December, we had to put together a full force carnival so as you can imagine, it has been non-stop pace from preparations to execution, and I am happy to see we have successfully executed one of the largest Sugar Mas in the history of national carnival.” Asked about Sugar Mas 52, Hawley remarked: “What you will expect is us planning from now. It is important in order for us to not only execute well but attract regional and international visitors for us to launch our Sugar Mas product from January so look out for it, you will see us launch our Sugar Mas upcoming.
We’ll have our prize giving over the next week or two and I think that is the first to ensure that everyone is paid, everyone is happy so that we can move on to successfully plan and execute Sugar Mas 52.” Notably, Sugar Mas 51 prize giving is slated for Friday 13th January, at The Circus, 7:00PM. Front Page Image: Minister of Culture with responsibility for Carnival Samal Duggins seen with his son dressed in folklore clown troupe costumes during Sugar Mas 51 (credit: Facebook/SamalDuggins)
