Could 2022 really be the year? Could this really be the year that the much loved and very much craved ‘Spicemas’ is going to happen once again? Well, such is the question playing on everyone’s minds since the chairman of the Spicemas Corporation (SMC), Arley Gill, let his in-support-of decision of the once annual event be known. Alongside a group of carnival stakeholders, he will for two weeks seek the government’s permission for Spicemas to be held this year.

Though, it isn’t the mas we’ve grown accustomed to that will be played.  Let me explain. Gill, who last November was appointed to his current role as chairman of SMC, is focused on having Spicemas, yes, but this year it will be executed in the form of a festival. A festival of culture if you must. According to the former Senator: “Once sanctioned by the government, whatever format a 2022 Spicemas takes – virtual or otherwise – it would be a festival of a high standard; one incorporating all the elements of our carnival, with the objective of producing a world-class carnival arts product.”

Even acknowledging the major deciding factor being the pandemic, he stated, “Of course, a lot will depend on our COVID situation before a final decision is made by the government.” To further set a sense of ease, Gill said, “We, in SMC, will go on a vaccination promotion drive”. On the island which plays home to just about 112,000, just over 36,000 are said to be “fully vaccinated’’ against the virus which so far has claimed north of 200 lives.

With hope, Arley Gill said, “We’re looking for cabinet’s approval to say, yes, to Spicemas for 2022. Once they do that, we can go into planning mode and start outlining what we’re going to do. We want to do so early, so that we could send the word out that mas’ players can get going, pan people can get going and calypsonians can get going.’’ In early January, a planning retreat was held to brainstorm and for “consultative activity’’. The all-day event was attended by more than 30 SMC officials, carnival practitioners, and stakeholders.

Meanwhile in Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to getting the time of access extended till 2pm for beaches and rivers, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley said this year’s carnival wouldn’t be the same as years past. That although no street parades will occur, there will indeed be some elements of carnival on display. His confidence in hosting this year’s event lies in the fact that “we have half a million vaccinated people, and we know a lil more about how the virus behaves. We could have some elements of Carnival that take into account the health protocols that are in place.”

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