The Carnival season was packed with exciting events from its official opening on January 14th to Téwé Vaval on February 22nd. For just over five weeks, revelers enjoyed numerous Calypso events and national competitions, village and town carnivals, and pageantry at its finest. Discover Dominica Authority’s two signature events – the Miss Dominica national queen show and SunRise event – were also well attended. Miss Adicia Burton emerged winner of the pageant, capturing prizes for ‘Best Response to Question’ and ‘Best Performing Talent.’ Asa Banton, a Goodwill Ambassador for Dominica, headlined SunRise along with Mr. Killa from Grenada, singer of soca favorite ‘Rolly Polly’, plus local acts.
The nonstop fetes and events, street jump ups and parades added to the pleasure of visitors, locals, and the returning diaspora. Jouvert, which began in the wee hours of Carnival Monday, showed the creative designs, colors and strong culture of the islanders, who boldly celebrated slavery emancipation through dance and dress. This was soon followed by the ever-growing t-shirt bands, school bands and the still-somewhat-new children’s carnival, while traditional groups such as sensay stayed true to the Real Mas. Carnival Tuesday again saw bright colors and revelry as the contemporary groups marched to the beats of the latest calypso, bouyon and soca hits on Roseau’s streets in true ‘Mas an Lawi’ fashion. Throughout the Carnival period, Dominica celebrated a clean, fun, and relatively safe Mas Domnik 2023.
I would like to thank all the stakeholders of Mas Domnik 2023 who [enabled] such a spectacle for the visitors and onlookers. Your commitment and contribution was critical to the success of Dominica’s Carnival. Furthermore, we are happy to see the economic activity that accrued to the private sector, the musicians and those in the entertainment field after a difficult two year period of the COVID pandemic.“
Hon. Denise Charles, Minister of Tourism
Preliminary numbers indicate that for the period February 13-21, visitor arrivals numbered 4,150. This is 15% below figures for a similar period of 2020 driven primarily by a reduction in capacity of regional airlift to the destination. In terms of source markets, Carnival visitors from the French West Indies maintained the same share as 2020 at 40%, while visitors from the US increased to 21% versus 20% in 2020.
Mas Domnik 2023 was presented by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA). Dominica Festivals Committee and Discover Dominica Authority extend warm gratitude to major Carnival sponsors and supporters. Mas Domnik Sponsors: The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Flow Dominica – the official telecommunication partner of Mas Domnik 2023 (Silver Sponsor); Belfast Estate – distributors of BB rum, the official rum for Mas Domnik 2023 (Bronze Sponsor); and Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd – distributors of Trois Pitons Water, the official water for Mas Domnik 2023 (Bronze Sponsor). Miss Dominica Queen Show – Contestant Sponsors: National Bank of Dominica; Republic Bank; Dominica National Lottery; Convenience Plus/ De Construction Solution Ltd; and PDV Petro Caribe Dominica Ltd. Special Mention Sponsors: Alliance Française de la Dominique; N’Gaska; Body Bliss Spa; Lovelee Things; Secret Bay; Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski; Jaydees Naturals; J Astaphans & Co Ltd; HHV Whitchurch & Co Ltd; Pagua Bay House; Wandy’s; Jane Mary Skin Care Brand; and Leandra Lander. Special thanks to the patrons, musicians, event organizers, and promoters who all contributed to the successful staging of this year’s Carnival.
DDA encourages everyone to save the date and plan early for Mas Domnik 2024 which will be held on February 12 – 13, 2024
