Despite the glizz, glamour and cultural rejuvenation that marked previous cultural carnivals in Rivers State, this year’s centenary edition promises to surpass all the past events in terms of organisation, sophistication and foreign participation.

It is reliably gathered that the Rivers-State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) in conjunction with the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism have put some laudable programmes and events in place to make  CARNIRIV 2012 the best of its kind across the country.

These programmes include a new carnival monument which involves the redesigning and commissioning of the CARNIRIV 1988 sculpture located at Aggrey road in the old Port Harcourt Township Area which stands in remembrance of one of the most spectacular carnivals Port Harcourt had ever experienced. It is expected to serve as the official take off point for all subsequent carnivals.

There would also be a pre-carnival stage performance of King Jaja of Opopo with top government officials, an all star cast and fantastic production crew that would invariably be an honour for the men and women of the Arts who would have returned inspired and reinvigorated from a world tour, promoting the culture of Rivers people through the play.

The Black African music festival (BAMFEST) is also proposed by the Agency in its desire to sell CARNIRIV to the wide world as a tourist attraction of immense value. The music festival would span several genres which appear relevant in today’s spectrum of musical references. Selected black musicians from the Americas, the Islands of the Caribbeans, Europe and the continent of Africa are also expected to be in attendance.

In its bid to boost the overall outlook of the CARNIRIV, the RSTDA looks forward to inviting contingents from interested countries worldwide to participate in the carnival, such entries include boat Rowing and Lion dance troupe from South East Asia, and Zulu dance troupe from South Africa that would add to the excitement of the carnival just as tourism ties with the respective countries are sure to be enhanced in the process.

Freestyle bands are also expected to perfrom as a brilliant spectacle in the streets of Port Harcourt. The inclusion of more bands in the free style parade promises even greater colours and excitement.

To cap it all, there would also be a world peace concert as part of the closing ceremonies of the CARNIRIV with the aim of attracting musicians as well as different genres of music from various continents of the world preaching a message of peace and tolerance.

According to the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Dr. Sam Dede, this year’s festival would hold in Port Harcourt from December 10 to December 15. He said the committee had commenced mobilization and sensitization of the people on the carnival and the people were beginning to see the carnival as their own.

He said, “sensitization, mobilization is on, we are talking with the communities, we have been visiting the local government areas, been having series of meetings with the band leaders, the people as well as volunteers are pouring in everyday to work for the festival, for me, this is about making the people own the carnival.”

The veteran actor of the ‘Isakaba’ Fame stated that international artists invited to perform for the cultural show had indicated interest to come and perform, adding that Shaggy and Patra would perform at the opening ceremony while morgan heritage would play at the reggae event.

He stressed that Rivers people were going to have a wonderful carnival this year as all the artists and people they had been talking with, were very keen on making it work. He also disclosed that the organizing committee had hinted the international artists about the flood situation, adding that they had pledged to use the carnival to put smiles on the faces of the victims and the people of the state.