At the root of the largest street festival in Europe—the Notting Hill Carnival—are the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century. With particularly strong ties dating back to the abolition of slavery and the slave trade, Notting Hill’s jamboree—which takes place every August—encompasses a variety of multicultural art forms such as poetry, music and masquerading, and gathers surrounding Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions in social solidarity.
This year’s events were not without controversies, however, as reports claim record arrests and gang violence.
“We need to move it to somewhere gangs do not chase each other through the streets,” said Kensington MP Victoria Borwick to Standard, after noting that lack of space is at the crux of the matter. “I am not anti-carnival but are we going to carry on putting up with this level of crime. I feel the carnival should be given more space, in wider streets or in a London park.”
Here’s a closer look at the 50th anniversary parade in photos:
One of my favourite photos at the carnival #nottinghillcarnival #carnival #blue
A photo posted by Bianca Gill (@bianca_092) on
@burrokeetsmasband Children’s parade #nottinghillcarnival
A photo posted by Camf (@camfnhc) on
A photo posted by Adrian Mazur (@adrian_mazurr) on
A photo posted by Diana Novikova Photograhy (@diana_novikova_photography) on
A photo posted by “WE MAS” (@we_mas) on
#NottingHillCarnival #BankHolidayWeekend #endofsummer #AfricainLondon #NottingHill
A photo posted by Anekha (@nekha_s) on
Carnivale vibes. — #nottinghillcarnival #love #London
A photo posted by Ben Ford (@super_fit_dad) on
A photo posted by Santa Jaansoo (@st.christmas) on
A photo posted by J (@jahmarleybachelor) on
A photo posted by Island Vibes Magazine (@islandvibesmag) on