Page 13 - HOH

a11
local Saturday 7 January 2023
Almost six thousand people ready to light the torch for the 69th

edition of Aruba’s Carnival

ORANJESTAD – Today, that Aruba draws thou-
7th of January the official sands of visitors: carnival.
opening to the Carnival If you have never been
season in Aruba will take here before, come in car-
place with the torch pa- nival season as your ex-
rade. After two years dur- perience will be amazing.
ing which Aruba did not Sensational musical events,
celebrate carnival be- queen elections and differ-
cause of the pandemic of ent parades are all part of
Covid-19, carnival is back, this spectacular phenom-
and among the people, the enon. Carnival is part of
enthusiasm is greater than Aruba’s history and cultural
ever. heritage, actually it is the
largest cultural festival on
A total of six groups, with the island. For the islanders
a total participation of al- it is a way to express their
most six thousand people, creativity and break away
will be on the road covered from the daily buzz of life.
in light, carrying torches Dancing to the rhythm of
and dancing to carnival local music while enjoying
tonight. the ambiance of the pub-
Empire Carnival Group, lic are some of the ingre-
TOB Carnival Group, Infinity dients of this festival. Oran-
Carnival Group, Royal Car- jestad and San Nicolas are
nival Group, Los Laga Bai the stages for this display
Carnival Group and Cham- of unique designed cos-
pagne Carnival Group. tumes, amazing ambience
Since before the New Year, and upbeat, local music.
some groups had already The festival is for everybody
announced that tickets to accessible and safe to visit.
the long-awaited parade Behind the screens there is
were sold out, and with an enormous organization
only one day remaining that makes sure that this
before the great evening, festival runs smoothly. The
most carnival groups who police, inspection depart-
are taking part in the torch ment, Red Cross volunteers,
parade were completely garbage service and many
sold out. others work day and night
to make sure that carnival
On social media people is a success. All the trailers
were still looking for tick- are being carefully inspect-
ets to take part in the pa- ed before they are allowed
rade, and were willing to to participate as well as the
pay more than Afl. 200 for vehicles that pull them. Af-
a spot, as long as they can ter each parade the streets
jump up to the rhythm of are being cleaned and
the carnival music in the road blocks are being tak-
festive ambience tonight. en away so next day nor-
Expectations are very high, mal traffic flow occurs. The
and it is expected that more several organizations and
than ten thousand people institutions work together
will be on the streets tonight with the official carnival or-
during the parade, either in ganization SMAC.
the parade or watching by
the side and enjoying the History
vibes. In the 1920’s the first carni-
val events were organized
The Torch Parade is an by social clubs that started
easy going parade where private costume and mas-
the costumes are mostly querade parties. This year
decorated T-shirts in cer- we celebrate Aruba’s 66th
tain colors. But…. This is just carnival, which means that
a warming up for the most the first grand parade took
colorful, creative, inspiring place in 1955. Since than
parades that are to come. Aruba’s carnival has grown
big and is now able to stand
The island is known for its shoulder to shoulder with
white-sanded beaches the most renowned Car-
and perfect climate, but nival celebrations around
there is one time in the year the world.q