Luton’s town centre was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour, music and dance on Sunday, 25 May, as the 49th Luton International Carnival brought together thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate the town’s rich cultural diversity.
This year’s carnival, themed ‘Back to the Future,'”‘ featured a dynamic blend of nostalgic and futuristic elements, encouraging participants to explore the past, present and future through the lens of carnival arts. The parade wound through the town centre, culminating at Silver Street, with performances from local schools, community groups and international artists.
Eastenders actor Colin Salmon, who grew up in Luton and serves as one of the carnival’s champions and played at the event with his steelband UFO, praised the event’s inclusive atmosphere and its role in inspiring the younger generation.
“To see your parents celebrated and clapped, and yourself, your culture, it changes your mindset,” he told the BBC, adding: “You know you have value but this affirms it, we celebrate that, not look down on it, and it’s important.
In line with Luton Council’s commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral town by 2040, the carnival incorporated several eco-friendly initiatives. There were no trucks to move the carnival floats, so everything was done on foot, with e-bikes and push-and-pull floats, with music powered by electric speakers. Costumes were also handcrafted using recycled materials, with all of these efforts aimed and delivering an entertaining yet environmentally conscious event.
Look through the slideshow below for some of our favourite costumes…
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