CARNAVAL DE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Carnival, of course, is Trinidad's big cultural and artistic affair. It sums up the island's best in terms of entertainment and musical production.

The official carnival season opens on Ash Wednesday, the day after Shrove Tuesday, the climax of the previous carnival season. A period of crescendo pressure begins as carnival approaches. The carnival bands start preparing for the new carnival with a series ofbrainstormingsessions to decide on the theme for their next performance. Once the theme has been chosen, and after researching the literature on the subject, each carnival band sets to work in its mas camp - its workshop - to design and make the various costumes that will illustrate its theme during the parade. Particular attention is paid to the costumes of those who will compete for the title of Carnival King and Queen. As the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday approaches, the day on which the king and queen of the season will be chosen, the mas camps are abuzz with activity. Day and night, feathers and beads are glued together, not only for the "royal" costumes, but also for the fans who have bought a costume to parade in the colors of their favorite atelier. In just a few weeks, hundreds, if not thousands, of costumes will emerge from these workshops.

Three days of non-stop celebration. The real carnival festivities begin with the election of the king and queen on Shrove Sunday, the day before Shrove Tuesday. This day also marks the finals of the calypso competition.

On Sunday night, at 2 a.m., it's time for J'ouvert (French for "open day"). The whole of Port of Spain takes to the streets for a gigantic party in the middle of the city, which doesn't really end until the following Wednesday. For J'ouvert, it's customary to smear yourself and others with mud or paint, transforming yourself into a "blue devil" and playing the "dirty-mas". The rush is guaranteed, as the crowds are so great (watch out for your cameras, and only take the bare essentials with you: J'ouvert is also a great time for pickpockets !) On Monday afternoon, the carnival bands parade in their new costumes. A very colorful spectacle. But it's Shrove Tuesday that gives you the chance to see the full parade, with all the costumes of all the participants from all the carnival bands.

The parade winds its way around Port of Spain, and each band' s costume is judged, with a prize-giving ceremony taking place in the crowded Savannah at the end of the afternoon.

The festivities come to a close on Ash Wednesday, the day after Shrove Tuesday, with big beach parties and calypso and soca concerts. The following Sunday sees "Champs in Concert", where, for the last time, the victorious bands meet and parade through the Savannah of Port of Spain.