Dear Editor,

I read with interest and confusion the latest column by public commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang titled ‘Jamaica Carnival 2023: Report from the road’ regarding the recent Carnival 2023 staging.

I know Chang to be many things and wear many hats but an expert on entertainment is not one of them and this contribution in particular is flawed.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I find it an unfair assessment of the success of the event that has become a staple on our entertainment calendar since Byron Lee introduced Jamaica Carnival over 30 years ago. I think I have been a reveller for just as long, so I’d like to think I have more knowledge and experience to speak to what truly transpired on Carnival Sunday. Overall, it was a massive success, with hundreds coming in from overseas and new bands finding some favour with the upper echelons of society.

The most star-studded band was by far Xodus, but there were several inaccuracies in Mr Changs’ column, notably, Chance the Rapper was not a participant in Gen XS but actually Xodus. Furthermore, each band had its fair share of issues with costume distribution and fulfilment of orders, my friends, who jumped across all bands, shared similar stories.

The largest band for the day was Xodus, with over 4,000 costumed revellers, two times the size of Gen XS, and YardMas was the smallest. This is not about who had the biggest or baddest, it is all about supporting Brand Jamaica and ensuring that there are significant economic and social positives coming out of the experience.

I think there is one thing we can all agree on, Carnival is back in Jamaica and bigger and better than before, and all competition does is push others to do better.

I for one am looking forward to Carnival 2024.

Sharon Silvester

Avid Carnival supporter

shar.silvie@gmail.com