Leeds West Indian Carnival celebrates 50 years

1 Sep 2017 10:40 AM

In 1967 the first Caribbean style carnival in the UK took place in Leeds, incorporating all three essential elements of authentic West Indian carnival - costumes, music and a masquerade procession. The Leeds West Indian Carnival is now Europe’s longest running Caribbean carnival parade, the largest carnival in the North of England and is playing a key role in Leeds City Council’s campaign to be awarded European Capital of Culture 2023.

The carnival will mark its 50th anniversary throughout 2017 with a range of activities and celebrations. 

Created by a group of young students from different West Indian islands who wanted to bring part of their home lands to the streets of Leeds, the carnival has grown over the years and has attracted funding from the local authority, sponsors and Arts Council England.

Alison Clark, Director Combined Arts, Arts Council England said, “Leeds West Indian Carnival is one of the leading showcases for carnival arts in the country and highlights the quality and artistry of this important cultural activity which blends historical and contemporary artistic practice. Our investment in carnival has risen consistently since 2012, and we were delighted to support this very special birthday year. Leeds Carnival is a key part of cultural life in the north, and we’re very pleased to see it go from strength to strength.”

The twelve month celebration of Leeds West Indian Carnival has included a launch and civic celebration at Leeds Town Hall and an international conference about carnival held at Leeds Beckett University. The conference, creative activities and workshops have been supported with an award of £180,000 through our National Lottery funded Grants for the Arts programme.

Our National Portfolio organisations are also taking part in the celebrations - West Yorkshire Playhouse is hosting shows and community workshops and an exhibition documenting the carnival’s history is being shown at The Tetley until 29 October.

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