BUTETOWN CARNIVAL: THE REVIVAL YEARS (2014–2019)
🔥 Butetown Carnival: The Revival Years (2014–2019)
Bringing the Carnival Home Again
After 16 years of silence, the streets of Butetown came alive once more in 2014. What started as a modest community gathering would blossom over the next five years into a powerful grassroots revival, proving that Butetown’s spirit was never lost—only waiting.
🎉 2014: The Humble Return
Keith Murrell and a small group of dedicated volunteers helped breathe life back into the Carnival. The event was low-budget and improvised—a mini parade, some live music, a community BBQ—but its impact was profound. It reminded the neighbourhood what Carnival meant: celebration, heritage, and togetherness.
“It was small and random but full of fun and love,” Keith later reflected.
🏗️ 2015: The Formation of BACA
To support the Carnival’s growth and sustainability, the Butetown Arts & Culture Association (BACA) was officially formed in 2015. With BACA’s support, the event gained more structure and resources. The Carnival expanded to two days, introduced more stages, and booked local artists to entertain growing crowds.
BACA became a central player in reviving not just the Carnival, but Butetown’s cultural confidence as a whole.
💥 Momentum Builds (2016–2017)
Each year saw the Carnival improve in scale and ambition. Organisers introduced workshops, youth participation programmes, and themes that celebrated Butetown’s diversity. Costumes became more elaborate, local dance groups took centre stage, and new performers joined in celebration of community pride.
🌍 2018: A Turning Point
One major breakthrough came when the National Eisteddfod—Wales’ flagship cultural festival—invited Butetown Carnival to collaborate. This institutional recognition helped the Carnival receive support from organisations like the Wales Millennium Centre and Arts Council of Wales.
“That was a pivotal moment… we could no longer be ignored,” said Keith.
This new backing gave the Carnival the platform it deserved, allowing it to evolve while staying true to its community roots.
🎭 2019: A Cultural Force Reborn
By 2019, the Carnival was back in full swing. The parade route expanded to feature Cardiff Bay landmarks like the Senedd and Wales Millennium Centre. Stages hosted diverse music acts, from reggae to Somali performers, while workshops and installations brought arts education into the celebration.
The revival years were more than a comeback—they were a powerful statement: Butetown Carnival belongs to its people.
These years laid the foundation for the modern era of the Carnival, with a growing archive, renewed partnerships, and a new generation ready to carry the flame forward.
