Hackney Carnival is getting better and better. The leaders have been listening to the local community and implementing programmes to strengthen the event and build trust with its local community, artists and stakeholders.
Thanks to investment from Hackney Council and funding by the Arts Council, Hackney Carnival will be working with five local schools and five local carnival groups to present the first Hackney Children’s Carnival Day on Sunday 15 July in Dalston Square.
Hackney Carnival’s creative director, Pax Nindi, who has been directing the event for more than four years, commented with excitement: “I have always wanted to involve schools in what is being dubbed UK’s fastest-growing carnival, especially as the schools have always expressed interest in being involved fully. Unfortunately, the date we do the carnival falls in the period that schools are on holiday, so we put some energy into fundraising to host a day when schools can also participate. We are so pleased the local schools and the Hackney community now have their own Children’s Day, strictly for children and young people to celebrate carnival in this borough before the main carnival on Sunday 9 September.
Hackney Carnival groups working with the schools this year are Tropical Isles Mas Band, Brazilian group Taru, African music and dance Group BLEMA, Pan Vibrations and Dimensions Dance Group.
