Department of Culture to Host Cultural Characters Workshop

The Department of Culture within the Ministry of Creative Industries will open a workshop on Cultural Characters on Wednesday afternoon free of cost to members of the general public.

Events Coordinator Gilbert Laudat says the training workshop, the brainchild of Director of Culture Khan Cordice, will train participants in the art of stilt walking (Moko Jumbies) and Conch Shell blowing, along with the elements required to be a traditional Caribbean Clown, John Bull and Whip Cracker.

According to Mr. Laudat, its main objective is to create an opportunity whereby people can gain sound knowledge of the various characters, thereby preserving the local culture.

“We find that we need more persons – more young persons to be involved in it, to learn about the history behind the characters, and the work involved in building the costumes and piecing together other elements that collectively, bring the characters to life,” he said.

Interested persons can register to participate in the training onsite at the Environment Division. Daily sessions will commence at 3:30PM and will conclude at 7:00PM.

Following the workshop, which will end on 24^th July, officials within the Cultural Development Division are hoping there will be a larger presence of the traditional cultural characters on parade during Carnival Monday festivities.

The Events Coordinator added that continuous training will be available for members of the public, and will likely extend to schools across the island.

“We’re going from the 8^th to the 24^th of July, 2026. After Carnival, we are going to rest before we start again, so we can bring some Christmas characters into our workshop,” Mr. Laudat noted.

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