Romaine Belgrove Wins Two Culturama Parade Titles

CHARLESTOWN — Kittitian carnival reveler Romaine Belgrove swept both categories he entered at this year’s Culturama 52 Street Parade, taking the Ole Mas and Float titles with pieces he said were built around teaching Nevisian history.

“I entered two segments Ole Mas and Float and I now see that I won both segments and am thankful for that,” Belgrove said.

But Belgrove said the titles were not what mattered most to him.

“That performance yesterday was already a winner in my book even if I didn’t place first, simply because the response from the audience as they took pics, videos and asked questions as they were so amazed by my float is what made me a winner,” he said. “I felt like I was a teacher in a history class teaching others about our times and life back then and they took it all in and gathered info they never had.”

A flag featured in his presentation drew particular attention, Belgrove said, noting that many residents, both young and old, were unfamiliar with its history.

“That flag was the most touching part of my piece as so many people even those born here old and young alike don’t remember or know about it, and I felt really blessed to be able to tell people about it,” he said.

Belgrove credited his knowledge of Nevisian history to his upbringing rather than research.

“I can do all this so comfortable because this is the life I lived, no one told me about it, no google or nothing like that, just pure knowledge from a life lived growing up poor but happy,” Belgrove said.

He said he plans to continue using his craft to pass on local history to younger generations.

“I will continue to showcase this part of our history whenever I get an opportunity to do so. I hope this info is taken seriously and passed on to our youths,” Belgrove said.