Downtown Port Of Spain J'ouvert Celebrations

The reign of the Merry Monarch for 2025 began with J'ouvert celebrations across the country.

In the streets of Port of Spain, thousands descended before the sun rose to participate in the early morning Carnival ritual where creativity often meets ‘commess’.

Bands and individuals take to the streets, vying for the coveted titles of King and Queen of J’ouvert, as well as Best Traditional Presentation, Most Humorous Portrayal, and Most Original.

Richard Montano was crowned this year’s J’ouvert King for his portrayal called 'D Pee Pee Can’t Charge D-C.O.P.' He told reporters he was elated with his win.

"I’ve been playing old mas since I was twelve years old, and I normally come down and play J’ouvert, but I only run second all the time, over four times, but I am so happy to win this J’ouvert."

It’s a title that comes with pride and prestige, earned through creative portrayals that honour the roots of mas, while often incorporating social commentary or satire, adding a dash of modern-day flair.

Laverne Smith, the now two-time J'ouvert Queen, used a play on words for her portrayal with a tongue-in-cheek title.

"If you understand mas, you understand that it’s, you know, double entendre, like a double-edged sword. So, you getting the feel of the doubles and the “double palm” in one. And doubles palm is one, doubles palm is one of the, um, fastest-growing enterprises in Trinidad. I don’t know how."

Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne said traditional J’ouvert is more than just competition, it’s history in motion that continues to bring people together in a free-spirited, untamed expression of Carnival’s essence.

"This is an important part of who we are and an important part of the Carnival. We saw a significant increase in registrants this year. A lot more people participated. And, of course, as things happen here, everybody had their say and they had their say in the most Trinbagonian way. So, I want to congratulate our new King and Queen of J’ouvert here in Downtown Carnival, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of the participants come back again next year."