Celebrating 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a focus on family, culture, and tradition. Attendees from various backgrounds gathered to honor the event's history, which is rooted in the celebration of the abolition of slavery.
Why it matters
As one of Europe's largest street festivals, the carnival serves as a significant cultural touchstone for the Caribbean diaspora and British multiculturalism.
Image caption, Sunday at Notting Hill Carnival is family day, with children taking part in the parade through the streets
As I walk into the heart of the 60th Notting Hill Carnival, the sun is shining and bouncing off the sequins, gems and sparkles of the costumes and decorations surrounding me.
Flags from all over the Caribbean and Africa have been hung from the windows of the houses and are draped over the shoulders of people passing by.
Everyone is dressed for sunshine, despite the rain that was forecast. It seems the spirit of Carnival has seen off those dark clouds.
The Sunday parade hasn't started yet, but the music is already pumping, and plenty of people are dancing, already covered in paint from J'ouvert, the traditional early-morning celebration which kicks off Sunday's festivities.
Image caption, Twinsy and her daughter Triny-Savannah travelled from Paris to be part of Carnival
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