The Saint Lucia Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) has expressed strong appreciation for the critical role corporate sponsors play in sustaining and elevating Lucian Carnival. Speaking at the annual Carnival Sponsors Brunch, CPMC Chair Tamara Gibson acknowledged the diverse contributions of longstanding and new sponsors, noting that their support extends far beyond financial input.
In her address, the CPMC Chair disclosed that this year’s Carnival calendar has already featured significant youth engagement. “Over the past few weeks, our young people have taken center stage with remarkable talents and creativity during the Schools Tour, the Schools Sculpture and Soca competition, and the National Schools Calypso Festival,” she said. “The high quality of their performances is a reminder of why we do this, and who we are doing it for.”
She also noted the staging of Listwa Kannaval, a public lecture exploring the history and evolution of Lucian Carnival, as a key educational and cultural event. “We are only just getting started,” Gibson said, referencing the upcoming Queen Show motorcade and the impending semifinals of the national soca and calypso competitions.
She reaffirmed the CPMC’s commitment to four guiding pillars: cultural preservation, inclusivity, sustainability, and responsible enjoyment, and emphasized that Lucian Carnival must continue to reflect the soul of the Saint Lucian people in order to remain relevant for future generations.
“Your sponsorship is more than just a financial contribution,” she told attendees. “It is a vote of confidence in what Carnival means to Saint Lucians. It is a declaration that you believe in culture as a driver of unity, pride, and national development.”
Highlighting the involvement of longstanding partners such as Piton Beer and Bounty Rum, Gibson commended efforts to spotlight cultural figures and carnival traditions through digital video campaigns. “Each year, we ask you to give more than your financial contribution,” she said. “This year is no different.”
Lyla Jean Baptiste Brand Manager for Piton Beer, reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to the festival: “Lucian Carnival is in our DNA. As the beer born and brewed right here in Saint Lucia, it’s only natural that we continue to support the biggest expression of who we are as a people. Piton Beer will always be proud to stand alongside our culture, our creatives, and our communities.”
Gibson encouraged corporate entities to align their involvement with one or more of the carnival’s core pillars, whether through youth engagement, cultural documentation, or advocacy for a safe, inclusive celebration. She urged companies to involve staff not only as service providers but as cultural ambassadors.
“Together, we’re not just setting and jumping on the road. We’re celebrating our culture and building a legacy, one rooted in inclusion, carried by the next generation, and guided by responsible choices,” she concluded. “Without you, Carnival would have no rhythm, no vibe, and certainly no sweetness.”
Lucian Carnival continues through July, with major events including the Power and Groovy Soca Monarchs, Calypso Monarch, Panorama, and the two-day Parade of the Bands.
