Learning city's carnival culture is 'like heaven'

Schoolchildren who are learning about Bristol's carnival celebration and dancing say "it is like heaven".

St Paul's Carnival has existed since the 1960s and celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture and contribution to the city and wider society through street parades, food and dancing.

However this year's parade, which would have been on Saturday, will not take place as organisers previously said rising costs meant it could not be delivered safely or sustainably.

In its place, organisers have focused on smaller community events that aim to bring people together such as children learning about the culture at Willow Park Primary School.

Every Tuesday, children between Years 3 and 6 have been learning about Bristol's Afro-Caribbean culture, the city's history - and learning to dance like they are part of the ocean.

The pupils have been rehearsing ahead of the Elders' Brunch at Circomedia, in Portland Square, on Saturday where the event will honour the contribution of earlier generations, who shaped history through protests such as the Bristol Bus Boycott.

"It kind of feels like heaven," Praise said.

"It's amazing experience. When we grow we can encourage the kids that we are teaching to do like stuff like this."

Loujain added: "I really appreciate what they are doing.

"The teacher keeps helping us every Tuesday and she's shown kindness and generosity.

"Everything's fantastic in here, I just like it so much".

Penny Marie, dance instructor who has been teaching the pupils, said: "The kids have been an absolute joy.

"You see a real journey from when they started, where you could see they were quite shy with dancing, and by today you can see them really coming out of themselves. It's beautiful.

"This dance is about unity, how we can be like the ocean. The ocean is strong, it's united and it's in harmony."

The dancing and education at the school is part of St Paul's Carnival's work to celebrate culture during the Carnvial and all year round.

It works with more than 50 schools across Bristol, about 1,600 students, and trained teachers on carnival, costume-making and the black and Afro-Caribbean community.

Ricardo Sharry, chief executive of St Paul's Carnival, said: "The spirit of carnival is an expression of education and learning all year round.

"The event is really important to the community, but on the flip-side of that is really making sure the stories of carnvial aren't lost, and that contribution is passed onto each generation.

"Regardless of if you go to carnival this year or sometime as an adult, you've had some engagement with how the music, food and culture has really influenced Bristol and Britain more in general."

"Seeing the expression in the children now brings me back to my own childhood."

On the Elders' Brunch, Sharry added: "It's a real critical part of the past Carnival, present and future.

"They form part of the long-term legacy, it's where the story is set."

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