LONDON--It is one of London's most colourful and noisy events - a weekend carnival to celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture in what has become Europe's biggest street festival.
But this year, the processions at Notting Hill carnival will fall silent when the floats, dancers and singers pass Grenfell Tower, charred after a fire killed at least 80 people in what has become a symbol of the stark divide between rich and poor. The tower stands less that half a mile from the route of the procession and the local community is determined to remember the victims at the two-day carnival, starting on Sunday.
But as well as sadness there is anger directed at the local authorities and the government after fire raced through the block and trapped dozens living in its upper floors in June. Some fear that tempers could boil over at the festival, but the local community is determined it should be a peaceful vigil.
"I am pleased it's going ahead. Carnival is this community and this community is carnival," said Zoe LeVack, a youth worker and co-founder of Kids on the Green, which provided activities and mental health support in the aftermath of the fire.
"Grenfell is an outrage ... and the community is very angry. So if anything, the carnival going ahead is a celebration of the people whose lives have been lost, but it's also making a stand," she told Reuters.
The carnival will see its usual mix of eclectic costumes, decorated floats and exuberant dancers, but it will fall silent for a minute on both days. Visitors have been told to avoid taking shortcuts across the estate where the tower stands.
"Kids on the Green" are using a samba float for their tribute to Grenfell's victims, while revellers at the carnival have been encouraged to wear an item of green clothing in memory of the victims of the fire.
