As COP26 draws to a close, The New Carnival Company is announcing its theme for IW Mardi Gras 2022 and demonstrating a firm commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its annual Mardi Gras parade at Ryde.
‘Our World, our Future’ is the theme for next summer’s parade, which will be held on Saturday 9th July and will form part of the opening celebrations for National Children’s Carnival Week, 9th-17th July.
The Mardi Gras Parade has been sorely missed for the last two summers due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but will be back on the streets with a riot of colour, costume, and choreography next year.
Exploratory workshops with schools
The New Carnival Company (NCC) has already begun to deliver some exploratory workshops for schools, to introduce the theme and to ensure the narrative for next year’s extraordinary parade is owned by the children and young people themselves.
Oakfield Primary School, Ryde Junior School, and students at Ryde Academy are all taking part in the process, representing children and young people from across the education spectrum at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.
Goldpsink: Driven by the children’s view
Frankie Goldspink, Creative Director of the New Carnival Company explained
“For the very first time, we invited a number of schools to create the story board for the parade, which usually comprises around 30 topics within one overriding theme.
“We felt very strongly that ‘Our World Our Future’ should be driven by the children’s view, not what we, as teachers, parents and artists are telling them.
“We are asking them ‘what would you like to see changed by 2030, and what actions must we, as society, take to get there?'”
Theme links to Sustainable Development Goals
The overarching theme will also demonstrate links to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which pledge a global commitment to ending poverty, providing access to education for all, and building a fairer and more prosperous society.
Other concerns
The recent school workshops have also identified issues which are concerning young people in addition to climate change. These have included: eliminating waste, eating less meat, avoiding unnecessary travel, keeping plastic out of the ocean and using renewable energy.
Topics to be unveiled
The final collection of ‘Our World Our Future’ topics will be unveiled early in the New Year and all schools and community groups will be invited to choose which section they would like to represent and showcase through carnival arts at the Mardi Gras parade.
Remove petrol and diesel vehicles from parade
The New Carnival Company has also pledged to remove all petrol and diesel vehicles from the parade starting from next year, and to research and develop other sustainable means of delivering music for choreography throughout the parade.
Slann: We don’t have time to procrastinate
Chris Slann, Executive Director of the New Carnival Company said,
“We are committed to becoming a more sustainable arts organisation and these initiatives are the first steps of a five-year plan.
“It is vital that carnival and the outdoor arts sector responds to the present emergency with renewed vigour and gravitas.
“We don’t have time to procrastinate.”
