This Saturday, January 11, the 2025 Carnival in Guyana kicked off with the arrival of King Vaval. A king in the colors of Guyanese fauna and flora with a jaguar head, but also a snake, an ibis, or even a macaw. Vaval’s arrival took place this afternoon, in Rémire-Montjoly, to the sound of the Mayouri Tchô Neg group and to the applause of the public.
Laura Philippon
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Published on January 11, 2025 at 4:23 p.m.,
updated January 11, 2025 at 6:10 p.m.
The 2025 Carnival in Guyana kicked off this Saturday, January 11, with the arrival of King Vaval. He appeared in front of Rémire-Montjoly town hall around 4:30 p.m.
“It is very colorful, magnificent, we are not disappointed.” confides a spectator. “It’s very beautiful this year, I have a crush”adds another.
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This year King Vaval wears a jaguar head, but also an ibis, a macaw and even a snake. “The theme is the fauna and flora of Guyana, King Vaval represents all the wealth of our department, confides Alexis Domput, president of OCPG, the Péyi Guyane Carnival Office. Our goal is to please the people and we love seeing the smiles on the faces of Guyanese.”
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©Franck Fernandes
This afternoon, the public was there to applaud His Majesty Vaval in front of the Rémire-Montjoly town hall. He was welcomed with music by the Mahury Tchô Nèg group. There are then the interventions of Huguette Tibodo, godmother of the event and Armand Hidair, on the history of the carnival.
Serge Félix, first deputy mayor of Rémire-Montjoly, handed over the keys to the city to King Vaval to officially mark the opening of the 2025 carnival. “Let’s put a lot of things on hold, have fun, enjoy and long live carnival, long live Guyana,” he declared.
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©Franck Fernandes
The arrival of King Vaval kicks off eight weeks of sharing, joy and enthusiasm. “We love it, we love it, I’m very much a street carnival person, so I’ll be there even if I’m tired to go to work on Monday!” exclaims a participant.
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©Franck Fernandes
From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., it’s time for the Armire carnival, with the parade of carnival groups leaving from the Auguste Dédé college to also reach the town hall. From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Orlan Jadfard and Dlo Coco will provide the atmosphere.
This day will launch the 2025 Carnival festivities which will end on March 5 in Guyana with the cremation of King Vaval on Ash Wednesday.
For this Saturday, January 11, traffic and parking restrictions are expected in the area.
Another highlight of the weekend, this evening, the official opening of Nana and the grand return of the “Les Mécènes” orchestra.
Tomorrow, Sunday, you will also have an appointment with the Cayenne videographer who will welcome everyone in fluorescent lights, from 6 a.m., at the town hall. The street carnival will then be officially opened with the “Touloulou Challenge”, still at Cayenne town hall.
