Nell’arcipelago delle U.S. Virgin Islands il carnival is a deeply traditional event, characterized by the variety and multitude of proposed manifestations and shows. On the island of St. Thomas the carnival takes place until late spring, from April 12 to May 2.
A peculiarity of this carnival is the annual choice of a different theme that serves as a leitmotif inspiring every single event. This year’s theme is “Echos through time”, memories through time. Through parades highlighting local costumes, steel pan bands (steel pots traditionally used as percussion instruments), years of history and culture are brought back to life, examining all aspects of local life. In this rediscovery of ancient customs and traditions, there is also a rich and appetizing gastronomy that recalls the most typical and characteristic flavors of Caribbean cuisine.
The carnival in the Virgin Islands offers three continuous weeks of celebrations, from dawn to dusk, culminating in a key moment: the selection of the Prince and Princess of the year, two mascots who accompany the various events, chosen during an important show.
Then comes the election of the Queen of the carnival, also crowned during a grand spectacle. For this event, young women aged 16 to 21 are trained to compete in multiple disciplines. On this occasion, they showcase fashion, elegance, their oratory skills, as well as their grace and harmony in the art of dance. It is a true beauty pageant of the Virgin Islands, which offers the future Queen and her court the opportunity, for the entire year of their reign, to represent the archipelago at various social events, in costume parades on the islands, in the Caribbean, the United States, and worldwide. Among these events, the Miss World Beauty Pageant stands out.
There are also evenings and shows of Latin music and Calypso, a fundamental element of island culture. Calypso music or Kaiso is the classic music of the Caribbean, playing a primary role in educating, informing, and entertaining the audience. Each calypso artist must create a unique composition representing the theme of the year. The Calypso tents are distributed throughout St. Thomas island and host over one hundred artists competing for the top ten spots on the leaderboard. At the end of this competition, the top musician and singer is crowned the carnival hero.
During the Calypso Revue, local Calypsonians from the US Virgin Islands meet with regional colleagues to compete playfully and ironically, demonstrating their poetic, musical, and vocal artistry. The best talents and the calypso king will showcase their varied creativity and diverse cultural heritage according to their Caribbean origins and will perform throughout the St. Thomas carnival, which features a proliferation of musical shows every single day.
During the closing night of the celebrations, the adult parade takes place and a fireworks display lights up the picturesque natural harbor of Charlotte Amalie. This year the event honors the President of the United States Barack Obama.
In this great and colorful carnival setting, the Caribbean Village is naturally present, celebrating the triumph of local gastronomy and craftsmanship. It consists of over thirty stands surrounding a central stage for live performances. In this village you can taste local delicacies, exotic desserts, and samples of international cuisine. There is no shortage of choices, and everyone can surely find a dish that best satisfies their tastes.
It is a meeting place, a place of fun and friendship where you can chat, relax, and appreciate, why not, the pleasures of the table!
Of course, there is also consideration for the little ones, who have at their disposal a Children’s Village. Here all the children are pampered and entertained with Coney Island-style games and activities. The village remains open until one o’clock in the night, giving parents the chance to enjoy a moment of fun and relaxation without the worry of taking care of their children.
