BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 9th October 2020) – Minister of Culture Jonel Powell says a virtual calendar will be released shortly for Sugar Mas 49.

“This will showcase unique elements of our culture and will include aspects of Christmas festivities.”

Powell made the disclosure during a statement on Sugar Mas 49 delivered on Friday 2nd October 2020, having made the announcement that traditional events for carinal are cancelled this time around due to COVID-19.

“Over the past few months, the St. Kitts-Nevis National Committee has had several consultations with key carnival stakeholders and is already ahead with the planning of this year’s Sugar Mas carnival event. The reality of COVID-19 is that times are uncertain and challenging. Having considered the health and safety of the citizens and residents of the Federation as well as the unpredictability of the pandemic, the Committee with the approval of Cabinet has made the decision to cancel traditional events for this year’s National Carnival which would attract mass gatherings such as all pageants, J’ouvert, grand parade and Las Lap celebrations. “

He added: “Our National Carnival was established with the aim of highlighting our arts, music and folklore and in so doing uniting our people as such, the committee along with its partners intend to create a virtual events that are new and creative as well as scaled back activities for end of year celebration. This new virtual format will allow the St.Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Committee to showcase our unique carnival production to our citizens and residents and a more diverse and wider ranging global audience.”

The virtual calendar, he informed, will be done by the St.Kitts-National Carnival Committee in partnership with Industry Creatives.