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Caribana Festival Celebrates Caribbean Culture and Resistance

To celebrate the 48th annual Caribana Toronto Festival, teleSUR pays homage to a culture of resistance.

Billed as both North America’s largest street festival, as well as the continent’s largest gathering of Black people, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, affectionately referred to as Caribana, is a dazzling celebration of Caribbean culture rooted in a radical history of resistance.

Every year since 1967, the festival pays tribute to the Caribbean's rich cultural heritage with colorful floats, vibrant music and dancing.

After 48 years, the festival has become a cultural institution, attracting more than 1 million people.

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Caribana 2006: The festival is known for its colorful costumes and elaborate floats.
Caribana 2006: The festival is known for its colorful costumes and elaborate floats. Photo:Wikimedia Commons
Caribana 2007: Caribana was one of the first festivals to celebrate Caribbean culture outside the Caribbean region.
Caribana 2007: Caribana was one of the first festivals to celebrate Caribbean culture outside the Caribbean region. Photo:EFE
Caribana 2009: The festival was introduced to Canada by immigrants from Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago, St.Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Jamaica.
Caribana 2009: The festival was introduced to Canada by immigrants from Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago, St.Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Jamaica. Photo:Flickr / torontocitylife
Caribana 2010: The Caribana festivities last two weeks and culminate in a giant street parade.
Caribana 2010: The Caribana festivities last two weeks and culminate in a giant street parade. Photo:Flickr / Loozrboy
Caribana 2010: Music is a crucial part of the festival with the sounds of steel pan, soca and calypso filling the streets.
Caribana 2010: Music is a crucial part of the festival with the sounds of steel pan, soca and calypso filling the streets. Photo:Flickr / Loozrboy
Caribana 2011: The music, dance and colorful parade are inspired by Caribbean festivals such as the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Caribana 2011: The music, dance and colorful parade are inspired by Caribbean festivals such as the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Photo:Wikimedia Commons
Caribana 2011: Like traditional Caribbean carnivals, Caribana chooses a king and queen of the festival.
Caribana 2011: Like traditional Caribbean carnivals, Caribana chooses a king and queen of the festival. Photo:Wikimedia Commons
Caribana 2013: The two-week long event also showcases Caribbean food and over 100 unofficial Caribbean-inspired cultural events.
Caribana 2013: The two-week long event also showcases Caribbean food and over 100 unofficial Caribbean-inspired cultural events. Photo:Flickr / Chris Harte
Published 30 July 2016
Galleries galerias telesur
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