Spicemas Corporation meets, approves 2012 carnival theme

Members of Spicemas Corporation

St. George’s, February 8, 2012 – The theme of Grenada’s 2012 carnival has been approved by the newly established Spicemas Corporation.

The Corporation, which replaces the Grenada Carnival Committee, was formalized last July following the passage of a bill in parliament and subsequently given royal assent by Governor General, Sir Carlyle Glean.

The Spicemas Corporation, which recently held its inaugural meeting, is the sole body charged with the responsibility of operating, organizing, managing and promoting carnival, within and outside Grenada. 

“The meeting agreed that the theme for carnival will remain unchanged since traditional mas is one of the strengths of Spicemas. The 2012 tagline, however, will bring focus on the Shortknee,’’ said Colin Dowe, chairman of the Spicemas Corporation. 

The 2012 Spicemas theme is, “Uniquely Rooted in Our Rich Ancestral Traditions. Shortknee: Legacy of the Chantuelle’’. 

Under the Act establishing the Spicemas Corporation, the organization’s Board of Directors must have representation from each of carnival’s major stakeholders – mas, steelband and calypso. 

Others on the board with Dowe are Claudette  Joseph, Brenda Baptiste, Rhanisha Alexander and Edvin Martin.

Dowe, at the first meeting of the Corporation, reminded members of the significance of carnival as a major economic cultural activity. He stressed the need to create an environment not only for the expression of the carnival arts, but also to lay a platform for carnival as a lead economic driver.

For their part, board officials renewed their commitment to fostering the growth of the nation's biggest cultural event, and discussed the setting up of subcommittees to begin work on Spicemas 2012.

They also formulated proposals for fundraisers to be held prior to carnival, and for hiring staff to work at the Corporation’s office.

Mrs. Jennifer Woodroffe has been engaged to serve as the CEO of the Corporation.

Spicemas 2012 will culminate with two days of street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, August 13 and 14.

“Grenadians can expect bigger and better things for this year’s Spicemas, including greater professionalization of the festival which will be taken to another level by the Corporation,’’ said Senator Arley Gill, Minister of State with responsibility for Culture.

He participated in the Spicemas Corporation’s inaugural meeting.

SOURCE: Ministry of Culture