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Thursday 16 January 2020

It’s Carnival!

The streets of Oranjestad If you have never been
were filled with lights the first here before, come in car-
Saturday of January. The nival season as your ex-
official opening of the car- perience will be amazing.
nival season took off with Sensational musical events,
the Torch Parade. 10 car- queen elections and differ-
nival groups participated, ent parades are all part of
each with their own theme this spectacular phenom-
in outfit. The Torch Parade enon. Carnival is part of
is an easy going parade Aruba’s history and cultural
where the costumes are heritage, actually it is the
mostly decorated T-shirts largest cultural festival on
in certain colors. But…. This the island. For the islanders
is just a warming up for the it is a way to express their
most colorful, creative, in- creativity and break away
spiring parades that are to from the daily buzz of life.
come. Dancing to the rhythm of
local music while enjoying
The island is known for its the ambiance of the pub-
white-sanded beaches lic are some of the ingre-
and perfect climate, but dients of this festival. Oran-
there is one time in the year jestad and San Nicolas are
that Aruba draws thou- the stages for this display tumes, amazing ambience The festival is for everybody the official carnival organi-
sands of visitors: carnival. of unique designed cos- and upbeat, local music. accessible and safe to visit. zation SMAC.
Behind the screens there is
an enormous organization History
that makes sure that this In the 1920’s the first carni-
festival runs smoothly. The val events were organized
police, inspection depart- by social clubs that started
ment, Red Cross volunteers, private costume and mas-
garbage service and many querade parties. This year
others work day and night we celebrate Aruba’s 66th
to make sure that carnival carnival, which means that
is a success. the first grand parade took
All the trailers are being place in 1955. Since than
carefully inspected before Aruba’s carnival has grown
they are allowed to partici- big and is now able to stand
pate as well as the vehicles shoulder to shoulder with
that pull them. After each the most renowned Car-
parade the streets are be- nival celebrations around
ing cleaned and road the world.
blocks are being taken
away so next day normal For more information you
traffic flow occurs. The sev- can visit Facebook page
eral organizations and insti- SMAC, the official carnival
tutions work together with organization. q