Above: Cap-Haitien (Photo: OP Haiti)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti officially began its carnival Sunday in the northern city of Cap-Haitien.

The carnival follows last year’s national fete, which was held in the city of Les Cayes.

Cap-Haitien recently underwent a series of renovations to the city’s main tourism corridor in advance of the event. The country’s Tourism Ministry has also overseen a training programme in the city, both to improve service by the hotel sector and to educate private home owners who have signed on to host guests this week.

Haiti President Michel Martelly has already arrived in the city to be on hand for the festivities.

But the carnival has not arrived without controversy, with several Haitian musicians alleging that they were banned by President Martelly from this year’s carnival for the political content of their music, according to reports.

Haiti’s National Carnival kicks off the official start of carnival season in the Caribbean; a number of islands, including Trinidad, Curacao and Bonaire, will also be holding carnival festivals this week as well.

Above: preparations for carnival (Photo: MT Haiti)

Haiti already began the season with its carnival in the city of Jacmel, under the theme of “Jacmelitude,” last week.

Haiti’s schools, utilities and businesses will be closed beginning Monday at noon and lasting through Wednesday on account of the holiday, according to a statement from the National Palace.