Over 30 masqueraders from the Island were guests of the Nice Office of Tourism at this year’s annual extravaganza held in February, the most prestigious Carnival in France.
Wearing newly created costumes on the theme of Earth Magic, which celebrates traditional English carnival roots in a contemporary style, they wowed the crowds at five different events including two of the famous Nice Flower Parades and a nighttime procession.
The Earth Magic presentation was devised, designed, and created here on the Island by artists drawn form a number of different carnival groups. The NICE visit builds on the reputation of Island masqueraders for delivering world-class carnival performance. The group have previously travelled to Viareggio Carnival in Italy in 2006 and 2007 and mainland UK carnivals including Luton and Brighton.
Annie Sidro of the Nice-based ‘Carnaval sans Frontiers’ organisation, who first spotted the Island’s carnival talent on her visit to Ryde last August, said the Earth Magic presentation was a real favourite with the crowds and she had received many favourable comments on the groups colourful and energetic performance. She hoped the group would be able to return in 2009 for another visit.
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