Bubbles Translation Services Blog
Caribbean Carnival Culture Capital!
As of today (for some) the August Bank holiday weekend is in full swing, and like me I'm sure you'll be packing in plenty of fun activities to really chill out. Whether that be travelling abroad for a much needed city break, visiting friends and family or doing odds and ends at home - the 3 day Bank holiday bonanza is set to be a busy one for most!
If the thought of going abroad hits the pocket a little too hard, then why not venture to our very own capital city? The August Bank holiday weekend is a particularly busy one for London, with lots of things to see and do for free; however there is only one event in particular that I think takes the ticket for being the most spectacular of all the free attractions the capital has to offer. The vibrant, bustling and occasionally boisterous, Notting Hill Carnival is considered to be one of London's most exciting, colourful festivals, with more than one million revellers flocking to the streets of Notting Hill for one almighty party.
The street party atmosphere is happening and rich with Caribbean music, food and culture; it attracts a diverse mix of visitors from around the world and is now the largest street festival in Europe. It's not hard to see why it has become an internationally acclaimed event which remains true to its Caribbean roots. In fact, as a worldwide event, only Rio de Janeiro's carnival in Brazil ranks ahead of Notting Hill in size. That's certainly impressive!
Of course the Caribbean's unique diversity isn't just limited to its music and food it also includes its numerous languages and dialects. Did you know there are approximately 59 living languages spoken in the Caribbean today, but only 5 of these languages are actually European. Most of these 59 languages are not spoken in insular Caribbean as any season tourist will confirm. However, it's pleasing to see that many of these traditional languages are not yet extinct.
To experience the real Caribbean paradise and its many languages, now might be a good time to escape the UK's grey skies in exchange for sun, sea, and sand! But if you can't get away, certainly head to the Notting Hill Carnival, because it's just as good! Let's just hope the sun shines all weekend!
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