Masked Parade 2017 gets global theme

This year's Masked Parade is going global with the theme 'We are the World'.

Once again there was a great response from the public when asked to send in suggestions for the theme.

With a total of 112 suggestions to choose from, organisers had a tough time selecting the winning theme. Lynne Kohen, who suggested the winning theme said she chose it because of its inclusiveness.

“I believe this is a time to respect and celebrate differences, not use them as reasons for divisiveness. 'We are the World' isn't a new idea, but its message is vital, enduring and so important for our children to understand.”

Councillor Gaile Noonan, Chair of the Community Services Committee, said that there were many very strong suggestions to choose from for this year's theme.

“‘We are the World’ is open to many interpretations – cultures, stories and environments – all of which make up our world.

“It underlines the history Nelson has with its community, many of whom come from around the world.

"There are also very current aspects to this theme. ‘We are the World’ encourages people to think of us all as belonging in the same world, collectively, not separately."

Organisers hope parade participants will explore and express ideas about culture and identity, their stories and histories, their place in the world, and of course the natural world.

The 2017 Nelson Masked Parade & Carnivale will be held on Friday 20 October (Labour Weekend) in the heart of Nelson.

Cllr Noonan said the Masked Parade is held on Labour Weekend to work around the school holidays.

"We hope this fantastic community event will entice people to stay in Nelson for the long weekend. They can attend the Masked Parade & Carnivale, then enjoy a weekend of Nelson Arts Festival shows, including Page & Blackmore Readers and Writers sessions, all in beautiful spring-time Nelson.”

We are the World - Peoples and places, cultures and creatures, local and global. We are the world!

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