For the second year running, Notting Hill Carnival is being cancelled due to “ongoing uncertainty” and the risk COVID-19 poses.”
In a statement, the board of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd announced that the much-loved annual celebration of the Caribbean and Windrush generation in the streets of London, would once again not take place in consideration of the health and safety of carnival-goers.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. Everyone involved in the event desperately wants a return to the road where Carnival belongs, but safety has to come first and with the latest cautious announcement on the government’s ‘roadmap’, this is the only way to ensure that.”
“In making this decision, we have considered our responsibilities to deliver a safe, spectacular, successful and sustainable Carnival. The conclusion is that with so much uncertainty, with time short for Carnivalists to prepare and the risk of eventual cancellation a real possibility, we must refocus our efforts for 2021.”
Instead, as in 2020, the team is working toward a series of “alternate events” to safely celebrate all that Carnival stands for. Last year, for the first time, the Carnival went entirely digital, allowing people to enjoy the sounds and sights of the event from the safety and comfort of their homes.
Second only to the Rio Carnival in Brazil, the Carnival typically sees around two million revellers who congregate and party through the west London route of the carnival. In light of the recent delay to fully lifting social distancing restrictions, the carnival’s organising body had to make the difficult decision to cancel the live event once again. However, they are encouraging people to once again join the digital carnival, promising a special lineup of online events throughout the August bank holiday, which will soon be announced.
In conclusion, the statement says: “Going forward, we will be working with Carnivalists toward the greatest ever Notting Hill Carnival for 2022.”
Visit the Notting Hill Carnival website.
