IN less than one year, the country will welcome another form of cultural expression when the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival makes its d�bute in May 2015.

During an official ceremony launching the event at Pompey Square on Wednesday, Prime Minister Perry Christie expressed his optimism for the event.

“I am very pleased that we will be soon be able to showcase even more of our country’s culture via this new event,” he said. “Not only is this a great opportunity for Junkanooers, artisans and other craftsmen to display their wares and talents, but it also offers us the opportunity to provide additional entertainment for guests who visit our shores.”

The event featured several forms of entertainment, including dance performances by the Junkanoo group Colours, headed by Chris Justilien; a tribute to the “Obeah Man,” fire dancing, musical selection by Visage and promotions by the Ministry of Tourism.

The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is a new event on the Bahamas’ social calendar. It will be annual, spanning five weeks and will kick off on Easter Monday.

The period will feature a series of activities, including concerts, cultural shows, balls and street parades, which will depict all aspects of Bahamian culture and heritage. During the period, one week will be set aside and will be known as Carnival Week.

The first Bahamas Carnival Week is scheduled for May 3-9, 2015. During Carnival week, four major events will be staged. A commission, chaired by former banker Paul Major, will oversee the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

• For more from the carnival launch, see tomorrow’s Big T.