The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation is celebrating the power of regional cultural exchange after taking its Soualigan Giants Moko Jumbies to the Anguilla Summer Festival.
The young performers participated in the Road Parade through a collaboration with Players Troupe and Calypso Charters.
The project brought together performers from St. Maarten, costume creators from Trinidad and Tobago, and Eldon Gumbs of Florida-based Legendary Mokos.
The Soualigan Giants joined Players Troupe’s “Guardians of Paradise” presentation, which captured Band of the Year, Most Colourful Troupe, King of the Band and Queen of the Band.
The Foundation says the exchange gave young cultural practitioners valuable exposure to different carnival traditions, production standards, costume design and creative professionals.
FYIF believes such opportunities can lead to future training, performances and partnerships across the region.
The Foundation says the Soualigan Giants are becoming cultural ambassadors who can carry St. Maarten’s traditions throughout the Caribbean and beyond.