Carnival of colour parades through Belfast
Monday, 29 June 2009
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Belfast was awash with colour on Saturday afternoon as the annual Belfast City Carnival weaved its way along the streets.
Click here to watch the Belfast City Carnival
As the theme this year tied in with the International Year of Astronomy, there were quite a few astronauts and aliens amongst the floats — not to mention at least one ‘Man in Black’ and a Cyberman.
The carnival officially introduced new Alliance lord mayor Naomi Long to the people of Belfast.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” she said.
“It’s just so colourful and so vibrant. It’s a fantastic day for this city, a real family day when people can come out and really enjoy themselves.
“I'm so impressed with the amount of work which has gone into all of the costumes. It’s incredible.”
Twin sisters Karen and Claire Gibson were among hundreds of people taking part in the parade.
“Our costumes are amazing although I must admit they are a bit heavy,” Karen said.
Claire explained that they were taking part along with dozens of others recruited by the Belfast Beat Initiative.
“Its always a fantastic day. A lot of people have put a lot of effort in to make this such a great spectacle,” she said.
Sarah Little from Antrim said she got involved as she had been working with the organisers.
“We’ve been working with the various community groups getting them into their costumes and giving them advice on how they should walk during the parade. It’s been great fun,” she said.
Other acts which took part in events throughout the day included the Love Music Hate Racism, Homely Planet Radio Station, Ruby Colley, The Jane Bradfords, The Afresh, the Big Funky Carnival Band, the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra, St Malachy’s Bodhran Players and Beat’n’Drum.
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Stuart said: "Good news like that doesn't sell and the news barrons WANT to blacken Belfasts name". Seems to be doing OK - it is in BT's most-read list.
Posted by Mal Goody | 30.06.09, 17:30 GMT
these are the kind of parades that we need not the sectarian ones of the orange order
Posted by sean | 30.06.09, 09:35 GMT
Three cheers to the Tele for putting a couple of videos of the day on its website.
Here is another, on YouTube, that gives a good visual overview.
www.homelyplanet.co.uk/includes/audio/belfast-summer-carnival-2009.mp3
There are 5 more from the preparation period prior to 27th June.
Posted by David Boyd | 30.06.09, 08:16 GMT
Andy, so Belfast should close down it's "wee carnival" because you don't see how it can "cover up whats gone on over the past few weeks"?
I think you're missing the point mate, the Carnival isn't designed to "cover up" anything. It is a cultural event, not a covert operation to hide our less than glitzy side!
Posted by Centaur | 29.06.09, 23:53 GMT
Alan, Don't you know? Good news like that doesn't sell and the news barrons WANT to blacken Belfasts name
Posted by Stuart | 29.06.09, 21:24 GMT
We need more stuff like this! Let the world see the a better side to Belfast!
Posted by Dave | 29.06.09, 17:41 GMT
Clearly it is not Carnival's purpose to 'cover up'. It does create ANOTHER picture; encourage other ideas; build many new relationships & partnerships; support people with forward looking vision; create achievement and employment; supports tourism with hundreds of bed-nights. Thousands of Carnival pictures that 'Belfast' has used over the years promoting this face of its people, bear testimony to that. Thousands & thousands of local people and their communities (& international) bear testimony.
Posted by David Boyd | 29.06.09, 16:35 GMT
i dont think a wee carnival can cover up whats gone on over the past few weeks. however loyalist decommissioning and something like this may help a bit
Posted by andy | 29.06.09, 14:31 GMT
I have just been looking at the pictures of the Belfast Carnival they look great,so why could these pictures be show on national TV and gave Belfast a better name.
Posted by Alan D. Gibson | 29.06.09, 11:03 GMT