St Kitts and Nevis hosts J’ouvert Celebration after two-year hiatus of COVID

St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts and Nevis hosted the J’ouvert Celebration on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Basseterre. After a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the SKNNCC hosted its first full J’ouvert Celebration since 2019. 

Thousands of revellers and onlookers frolicked downtown Basseterre between 5 am and 12 noon on Monday, December 26. Many considered this as the largest J’ouvert in St Kitts in recent years, featuring a record twelve J’ouvert Troupes and Road March contenders.

To a large extent, the J’ouvert was incident-free; however, an unfortunate fatal stabbing occurred at around 10 am on Fort Street, during the street am.

The victim sustained a stab wound in the abdomen and was rushed to the hospital by Police, where he was treated but later succumbed to his injuries. The Violent Crime Unit is investigating.

On behalf of the Minister of The Creative Economy, Samal Duggins and the SKNNCC, we extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. This behaviour will not be tolerated, and they trust that the appropriate action will be meted out to all violators. 

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew shared glimpses of the celebrations in which people could be seen enjoying the J’ouvert Celebration. People across the Federation joined the celebration in a huge amounts and expressed pleasure to be out of their houses after two years for the festival.

One of the citizens named Andrea Noddy Liburd stated, “We’ll it was Jouvert 2022. If anyone enjoyed themselves, it was me. I had a blast; it was very emotional being back on the road enjoying myself.” 

She asserted, “I LOVE Jouvert. So it was awesome for me doing what I love carnival time. Just enjoying myself with not a care in the world for those hours. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I also hope I entertained some of you (I know I did). I wish most people would live their lives like me. Dance like no ones watching or just don’t care who watches. My next road experience will be parade day. So with God’s Grace and Mercy I will see you then.”