Berlin 2012 was huge and because we like to help you make informed decisions we have asked some key people why YOU should be going to Berlin Carnival 2013.

The good thing about carnivals is that they come round every year. This gives us something to look forward to, plan for and reminisce over the past years carnivals.

Berlin Carnival 2013 is just around the corner (May 17th – 21st). A lot of soca lovers from the UK went last year and from what I am hearing a lot more will be going this year.

If you are still undecided hopefully this article will help make up your mind.

We have asked some questions to:

1. the owner of one of Berlin carnivals mas bands, Carnival Fever, Hendrik Sievert
2. a native of Berlin. Carnival and soca lover, Juju Be
3. a veteran attendee to Berlin carnival from the UK, Diane Vincy
4. a newbie. He has never been to Berlin carnival, but he is going this year, Vernon Francis

Here is what they had to say.

Hendrik Sievert – Carnival Fever

1. 2012 was a big year for Carnival Fever. How do you think 2013 will be for you?

you´re right, 2012 was a big year for us. we where really proud of how everything developed.
the pressure from everywhere is growing and we always want to be better then the year before. for weeks we´re working almost everyday on something for the carnival weekend and we hope that everybody will enjoy the berlin carnival weekend.
this year carnival fever will present several events. we will have an new open air event on friday called soca on the beach, on saturday we´ll have the traditional soca family bbq lime in the afternoon and the big carnival glow concert in the night. on sunday we´re presenting our truck called yard/escobar as every year.

2. What makes Berlin Carnival unique to any other carnival?

for myself berlin, related to other carnivals, has always a pretty personal touch. aside from the “regular” fetes we always try to give the people a good time without paying a big entrance fee. the bbq on carnival saturday is the best example. the bbq started some years ago in my courtyard with only a handfull people. but over the years it grew permanent and now the bbq is always a highlight for all the visitors. you can visit the event for free, meet socal lovers, artists etc and just have a good time.

3. Apart from during the carnival season are there a lot of soca fetes in Berlin?

to be honest the scene is still pretty small related to other european cities.
but i see a efforts are beeing made that people are getting more into the music on a current level. many people are listening to online radio shows and getting used to new tunes etc.
there a some fetes on irregular basis but there is still a lot of work to do for all promoters and dj´s in berlin or general in germany.

4. I know that there is strength in unity. Do you get other soca related businesses wanting to work with you? Who would you like to work with on the soca scene?

as a part of carnival fever i can say that we´re really happy to have great partners all over the world. just to name a few, we´re doing a collaboration with “move with dj tate” in london which is our partner for our work in the united kingdom since several years. we had always a great support from uk soca scene and socavision as well when it comes to media coverage for our events.
we also have a prosperous relationship with the dutch soca lovers from the netherlands. so in the past we were really happy to have partners who supported us.
for 2013 we have two mas designers, mas with a difference and blessed costumes, which will have 1 costume section each in our band.
regarding the future, we´re always looking for companies, business partners etc. which are interested in bringing berlin carnival forward and want to make their mark in berlin.

5. In 5 years from now, do you think Berlin carnival will look a lot different from what is is now?

i can´t really say how it will look in 5 years from now. we always try to present new things like the beach lime on friday afternoon this year. i can imagine that it will grow but i´m sure that it will always have a personal note. berlin will never be as big as notting hill carnival but that´s ok.
we have some more ideas for the next years and i´m sure that we can distribute our little part to the range of international carnivals.

6. What is your view of 2013 soca tunes so far?

i see there are some producers & artists are recognising their strenght and going back to melodical tunes which are great for the road. the amount of futuristic club tunes is getting smaller again which i think is good. i wasn´t the biggest fan of the overproduced hybrid club tunes.
like skinny fabulous said once “my dream is for soca to be recognized as soca”. and not as a electro flavored island pop.

my favorite tune this year is possessed by machel montano, kerwin du bois & ladysmith black mambazo.

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Juju Be – Soca / Carnival lover From Berlin

1. Why do you think we (UK soca lovers) should come to Berlin Carnival?

Berlin carnival assures you a great weekend of Soca, Limes and Party´s where you mabe not expect it.
Promoters make sure that you can see great shows of national and international Artists and DJ´s.
The Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen) is a fusion of many different cultures all across the world so not caribbean only.
BUT if you come for soca you better fasten your seatbelts cause you can get it 25/8 at this time.

2. How many years have you attended Berlin carnival?

I´ve been attending for 12 years.

3. What makes Berlin carnival different to other carnival you have been to?

The best about Berlin Carnival is, that the focus is on a few very big events.
So everywhere you go the “Soca Family” comes together and even if you not in the same Band with your friends you will see them over the entire weekend to lime, eat, drink, jump, wave and wine together.
The vibe is contagious and people take it through the whole year.

4. Do you think Berlin carnival will reach the size of Notting Hill carnival?

As a socalover i can say it is growing but i dont think the Carnival will reach the size of Notting Hill Carnival in the next years.
The Carnival is presenting the cultural and ethnic diversity of Berlin so its like traveling around the world in one weekend.
Through the last years the number of Soca and Dancehall trucks was slowly growing but as the Scene has the same slow growth in Berlin it takes its time.

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Diane Vincy – Veteran Berlin Carnival Attendee

1. How many years have you been attending Berlin carnival?

this will be my 5th year.

2. Why do you think we (UK soca lovers) should come to Berlin Carnival?

its different to the usual carnivals, due to the difference in cultures/nationalities. where else could or have you attended a carnival majority white European fetting an partying like you find in the UK…Parties goin on till 6/7am public transport running hassle free… themed nights, music from ALL islands and costing a fraction of those in the UK!

3. What makes Berlin carnival different to other carnival you have been to?

as per 2. Plus there’s less of a police presence, actually they are about just not in your face like Notting Hill….they (Berliners) are so welcoming. 
3 nights of parties…let the madness begin. 
one of the best days for me is the bbq on the Saturday, this year they’ve added another day event Soca on the beach happening on the Friday before one of the big fetes for the carnival season.

4. Do you think Berlin carnival will reach the size of Notting Hill carnival?

it could in a few years to come as more people get to know an hear about it, it has all the makings to get there.

the only thing thats a minus for me is the smoking inside clubs, although some have a smoking room, and no Sunset Rum…but i have ways of getting around that, its a 2ltr water bottel with it

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Vernon Francis – The Newbie

1. From everything you have heard and seen, what are your expectations of Berlin carnival?

“Have you ever been Berlin?” 
”Yes.” 
”How was it?” 
”It was mad! Non stop vibes, it was just like Trinidad”
 – That’s the kind of response I get when people tell me about Berlin. Even down to the videos I have seen…it proves how mad Berlin carnival actually is.
I expect the vibes and juices to be flowing, hot summer sun to be out, beautiful women just waiting to be whined on by me, and a weekend full of non stop soca and the unity that soca brings between the different cultures.

2. If Berlin carnival meets your expectations will you make it a yearly ‘must-attend’event?

Yes I can see that happening as long as funds are there. I enjoy Trinidad every year so why not Berlin especially as it is so cost effective.

3. Notting Hill Carnival and Berlin Carnivals are both European carnivals. How do you think they will compare?

I think a big comparison will be the representation of different cultures. For example when you attend Notting Hill carnival you have Jamaican sound systems, Carribbean carnival bands, Brazilian samba bands, English lots and many more.
 I think a difference will be the size. Notting Hill carnival is the biggest carnival in Europe so the spectators and Masqueraders will be a lot less in Berlin. However it should make the Berlin experience cosy and it will help you meet the different lovers of carnival and soca.

4. What was the first thought that came into your head when you were informed of Berlin carnival?

I was happy that the culture was spreading into Europe and Mas and soca are slowly breaking into the European culture, however I brushed it off thinking that it would be cold, boring and it will not succeed like many small carnivals do which made me uninterested at first. But it grew slowly and caught my attention last year.

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CHECK OUT THE PICTURES FROM BERLIN CARNIVAL 2012

If you have been to Berlin carnival before feel free to share you experience.

If you are going for the first time this year, feel free to share your expectations.

If you are still undecided watch this…