The new and long-awaited UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton will open its doors for the first time in spring 2009 with a bang! A procession of over 200 specially designed costumes and floats representing Carnival Queens of the World will parade through the town centre to a huge outdoor stage by the new building, where the finale performance and climax to the opening celebrations will take place.
The Carnival Learning Centre has submitted designs and proposals for the creation and performance of the Queen of Europe section, with its own narrative derived from ancient Greek mythology – the adulation of Europa by the mighty god Zeus. The section will form one fifth of the total production. Other major national and international carnival producers are said to be competing for the remaining four sections.
Our presentation will feature a massive 5 metre high float representing Zeus as a magical white bull, with Europa, the first Queen of Crete, riding his back. The float will be made in the traditional Italian style by our carnival partners from Viareggio, Frattelli Cinquini. www.fratellicinquini.com
The Centre plans to use dance, acrobatics, choral work and pantomime in its portrayal of the story on the giant stage to an expected audience of 20,000 people.
Event Organisers from Luton recently visited the Island to discuss the Europa plans in greater detail. Following a successful outcome, we hope to start producing the work straight after Christmas. This is a huge opportunity for the Island to show what it can do on a world class stage and will set us in very good stead for 2011 and 2012.
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