As part of its ongoing efforts to deepen public understanding of Saint Lucia’s vibrant Carnival heritage, the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) has unveiled a major cultural initiative: the Listwa Kannaval Carnival Lecture. This inaugural event aims to move beyond spectacle, offering space for reflection, cultural education, and critical dialogue.
The lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Financial Centre, Pointe Seraphine. Admission is free and open to all.
Headlining the event is Dr. Anthea Octave, a highly regarded Training Consultant, Qualitative Researcher, and Theatre Practitioner. Dr. Octave specializes in Caribbean arts, culture, and festival traditions. She holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre Arts and Carnival Studies and a PhD in Cultural Studies—awarded with High Commendation. Her extensive work in both Saint Lucia and Trinidad positions her as a leading voice in Carnival Studies and cultural research.
Envisioned as an annual fixture, the Listwa Kannaval lecture serves as a platform to explore the roots, rhythms, and realities of Lucian Carnival. Through storytelling, historical context, and a panel discussion with cultural stakeholders, the event seeks to document the past, interrogate the present, and inspire the future of Saint Lucia’s most celebrated festival.
Tamara Gibson, Chairperson of the CPMC, highlighted the event’s broader mission:
“This lecture series is a vital part of reclaiming and recontextualizing our cultural narrative. Carnival is more than costumes and music—it is protest, performance, identity, and legacy. Listwa Kannaval gives us the opportunity to honour the people, stories, and struggles that have shaped what Carnival is today, and what it can become tomorrow.”
Gibson emphasized that the CPMC’s work goes beyond event planning—its cultural preservation pillar is about safeguarding the soul of Carnival.
“We need to ensure that we preserve what is authentically ours, what is truly Saint Lucian, and what makes this festival unique,” she said. “So we make sure to let the public know what is truly ours.”
She encouraged all Saint Lucians, especially young creatives, cultural workers, and Carnival lovers, to attend. The lecture offers an opportunity to gain insight into how Lucian Carnival began, how it has evolved, and what makes it unlike any other.
Dr. Octave’s presentation will explore the transformation of Carnival—from its origins in resistance and ritual, to its modern-day role as an economic engine and creative outlet.
The Listwa Kannaval Carnival Lecture marks a renewed commitment by the CPMC to cultural education, heritage preservation, and artistic legacy, ensuring that Carnival remains not just celebrated—but understood.
