Once a year, when the city is warming up by summer sunshine’s “Zomer Carnaval” brings lively colours to spice it up. Coming from the culture of Caribbean islands of Netherlands Antilleans, summer carnival is an occasion to celebrate a different culture with colourful costumes in many creative shapes and energetic music. It attracts thousands of viewer every year. The festival performs about 5 hours but the atmosphere lasts even weeks. This year Rotterdam really had a carnival fever. The city seemed sleepless with pre-parties, warming up and after parties held everywhere. Battle of Drums – the competition between brass bands impressed people the most. The spirited music and synchronization in perform of all bands made it a beautiful show.

For someone who has never been to any Caribbean island, the festival is a very good chance to study more about a beautiful culture. Spirited music, colourful costumes and energetic dance definitely come from very open and optimistic people.

Every cultural event like this is organised with a huge effort of the city government and communities. This is also an appreciated contribution of Netherlands Antilleans community to Rotterdam multiculture.