At the Carnival Lecture, held at the Finance Administrative Centre, Hilaire is shedding light on a deliberate restructuring of Saint Lucia’s national carnival calendar, a move he says is aimed at preserving traditional events while fostering greater inclusion of the island’s youth.

Speaking on the evolution of carnival post-COVID-19, Dr. Hilaire recalled the steep decline in attendance at key national events: “The following year we had Calypso finals, and there were barely 500 people there. Panorama only had pan players attending. King and Queen of the Bands barely had anybody. And I asked, how can it survive? How can it be sustainable if no one is coming to it?”

To combat the dwindling interest, the Ministry of Tourism has adjusted the national events schedule to run ahead of the more commercially popular private fêtes and international attractions. The intention, Hilaire explained, is to eliminate direct competition and give young people the opportunity to experience both aspects of the carnival season.

“What if we create the conditions where [national events] do not have to compete with the more favored private events and fêtes? I use my own example: I have a young daughter who has never gone to a Calypso finals because she’s off somewhere at a private event. They prefer that kind of vibe.”

By bringing national events forward by one week, Hilaire said, it opens the door for greater participation: “They can now go to all the national events Panorama, Calypso finals, Queen of the Bands and still go to their favorite fêtes when the international crowd comes into Saint Lucia.”

According to the minister, this strategic adjustment could help preserve key cultural traditions and ensure a more balanced, inclusive carnival experience for all Saint Lucians.