A two-day carnival took place in London (30 photos + 4 videos)

West London flooded with people walking and dancing over the weekend people on the streets. They splashed paint on each other - it's a tradition Caribbean Jouvert Festival, which gradually migrated to London Notting Hill. The area is home to a large number of immigrants from Caribbean.





One of the biggest street parties in the world! Every year Notting Hill Carnival with parades and performances by musicians and artists attracts the attention of many people.

This year it was visited by more than two million people. The London Police say that during the event for minor violations 85 people were arrested, but in general it passed without serious incidents.

On the first day of the holiday, they tripled "Jouvert" on the streets - Caribbean tradition of splashing paint, which marks opening of the carnival. The festival participants were delighted with this ceremonies. Even the police took part - one of them joined the fun, splashing purple paint into the crowd.

The Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival has been running for 55 years and gathers huge crowds of people on the streets. This is the second largest holiday, it is second only to the carnival in Rio in Brazil.

“The Notting Hill Carnival turned the organized community celebration of London's Caribbean history and culture in one of the biggest and best street festivals in the world. It's part of the structure our city,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan.



The young artist takes part in a performance at the Notting Hill Carnival.



People dance next to trucks with large sound systems before the carnival procession.



A man in a fancy dress - the flag of Great Britain and a face-hugging mask with the inscription "Brexit".



Everyone is covered in paint after the Children's Day parade (it's part of the celebration)



Patrol cops at work



The police said that during the Sunday demonstration there were made 85 arrests, but noted that the event took place "without major incidents."

Out of 85 arrests made (data as of Sunday morning) ten were committed for attacks on police officers. Other violators detained for causing damage, inappropriate behavior in public location, drug use and sexual assault (11 arrests).

“The atmosphere was mostly good-natured and positive, and the vast majority of people had a pleasant and safe time.” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, head of police operation during the carnival in Notting Hill.

There were a lot of police on the streets, see the video below.



Costumed performers parade on Family and Children's Day at the Notting Hill Carnival.



Bright colors are everywhere - on the walls, and on clothes, and on the body



The annual Caribbean Festival, which lasts two days, has been held in London since 1966.



The Jamaica Football Federation is also involved.



The girls are dancing!



Here gathered party-goers from all over the city.

The main events of the first day of the carnival - a parade in honor of the Day protection of children and performances by artists in colorful costumes, as well as spraying paints and powders into the crowd so that no one leaves the street in clean clothes. Toward evening - performances of musicians on the street scenes. A variety of genres - from reggae to groove and from house to samba. On the second day - the main parade, a procession to the music of thousands of people. This holiday apogee.



Full Jouvert!



A police officer who is also not averse to having fun and splashing paint on people walking



This guy looks like a painting by a fashion artist



The holiday opened with a parade in honor of Children's Day.



The dancers were top notch!



Bright costumes of dancers, parade participants

A little history of the Notting Hill Carnival. From 1959 to 1966 was celebrated indoors. In general, he was organized by Trinidadian communist Claudia Jones in response to racial 1958 Notting Hill riots.

Murder of aspiring Antigua lawyer Kelso Cochrane prompted Ron Laslett to organize a children's street party, which in eventually became the first open-air carnival in 1966.

By the way, not everything is so rosy with this festival on the streets cities. In recent years, residents of the area have received complaints about antisocial behavior of the people present at the event. All around crush, break, leave a lot of garbage.

Last year, the police made 209 arrests at the carnival for offenses including criminal damage, assault, drug possession and carrying weapons. 21-year-old rapper TKorStretch (real name Takayo Nembhard) was stabbed to death at this celebration of life, and two police women were subjected to sexual violence.

So this year the police have tried very hard to strengthen their presence in Notting Hill and make the festival run without victims.

Here are some more photos from the carnival, conveying its atmosphere.