Mas Dominik 2025 opening a success

Mas Dominik 2025’s opening and national parade highlighted Dominica’s rich culture despite unanticipated weather conditions. Declaring the event a great success, Ayodele Andrew, the Discover Dominica Authority Events Manager, highlighted important elements that spoke to attendees and participants.

Starting in Pottersville, the Mas Dominik 2025 parade went through Roseau’s streets before ending at Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard, where several participant groups performed briefly.

Although the best elements went according to plan, everything else did not. Emphasizing the need to respect local cultural heroes, Andrew remarked in an interview with state-owned DBS Radio that we genuinely wanted to implement having the memorial to Frankie Bellot, and we were able to do that.

One of the most memorable events was the involvement of traditional groups, especially the younger generation.

“The greatest part of it was seeing the children who are coming up, like the Grand Bay Primary School and the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers,” Andrew said. There were some darkies and black devils among some of the adult groups as well.

This young injection into the procession provided a promising look at Dominica’s cultural legacy in the future.

Andrew stayed hopeful even when rain threw off the plans. “We had some hold-up with the weather; that’s something we have no control over,” she said.

Delays brought about by the rain prompted some groups to arrive late for the procession. “We started and worked on it; the rain caused a few pauses.”

Andrew commended the teamwork that enabled the event, especially the help of the DDA team and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force.

“Without them, this would not have been able to run,” she said, appreciating the vital responsibilities different partners in running the event do.

Those who arrived on a cruise ship docked at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth responded favourably about the event.

“They say it’s unlike anything they have ever seen,” Andrew said, stressing the need to present Dominica’s Carnival as a distinctive tourism offer. She underlined once more the intention was to expose the rich cultural legacy of the island to the globe.

Anticipating future incidents, Andrew said, “There are lessons learned, and we’ll be looking out for this growing bigger and greater.”