Festival Essay

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Christmas Festival in Montserrat They have reached a milestone! Recently Montserratians celebrated 50 years of festival which has played a pivotal role in their cultural history. Christmas festival is a celebration of the music, pageantry, food, costumes and partying. One must also not forget the togetherness it brings to families, friends and loved ones. In addition, festival has and continues to contribute immensely to the country’s economy. Montserrat’s Christmas festival is an annual activity which began in December 1962; it has since been five decades. Festival originated with calypso and string-bands music, masquerades, pageantry, and the famous ‘John Bull’ and ‘Miss goosy’ who filled the streets giving a welcomed performance. The first festival was held at ‘Sturge Park’. However since volcano eruptions which forced residence to evacuate and relocate to the northern side of the island, festival was then moved to ‘Festival Village’ at the Little Bay. In 2010, due to the rebuilding of the new town ‘festival village’ was evicted and activities were temporarily held at ‘Hot spot’ near to the public market. The venue was then changed again in 2011 and has since been operating at the little bay playing field renamed ‘Festival City’. Despite the many changes in venues, Christmas festival still remains as the most prestigious celebratory yearly activity. It brings out the most enthusiasm, creativity, talent and culture. One now celebrates 50 years of music, pageantry, food, costumes and partying. Over the years music has been of great significance to Montserrat’s festival. Calypso music has been known as one of the origins of festival; it has also been ranked as one of the [big] activities. In particular, the Calypso final show has reportedly been the biggest activity on the festival calendar. Other aspects of festival music would be the ‘Soca Monarch’
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