Luciana Raspail, guardian of the Carnival
To round off our series on the behind-the-scenes of the carnival, and just a few hours before the festivities begin, the bubbly Luciana Raspail, who has been chairing the Saint-Martin Carnival Festivities Association (FCDSM) since 2023, opened the doors to her world for us. Behind the costumes and parades lies a collective adventure driven by a passion that lights up Saint Martin.
Luciana Raspail has carnival in her DNA. Born on the island, she discovered the magic of parades in her early years at nursery school, then joined the Alamanda group attached to the MJC at the age of nine. "I remember coming to watch the parade with my parents, the effect it had on me..." she recalls, her eyes sparkling. Luciana would never leave this glittering world. "I love all the magic behind carnival. The decor and the joy. For me, it's an extraordinary feeling." In high school, she was already a pioneer: in 2002, she created the first Miss Carnival elections and founded the island's very first high school carnival group. In 2012, she joined a group of enthusiasts, which later became the FCDSM Association. Elected president in 2017, then again in 2023, she now leads, with her committee, an ambitious vision to promote carnival.
The power of the collective
At the head of the carnival committee, Luciana works hand in hand with her fifteen to twenty volunteer colleagues. Together, they juggle their professional obligations, their personal lives and the demands of carnival. "During the carnival period, it's really work, carnival, work," she smiles. Three months of intense rush where Luciana and her team can count on solidarity. "I am grateful to the members I have today. Sometimes, during the carnival period, these are people who are far from their families because they have to be present," she says gratefully. With 85% of the budget coming from public subsidies, Luciana and the members of the association have to be collectively creative in order to develop their projects. "Our room for manoeuvre is limited because we have to make do with the little time we have," she admits. But the committee's dedication is paying off: together, Luciana and her team manage to organise a carnival that thrills the whole island.
The power of authenticity
Luciana and the committee members have no shortage of ideas for bringing the carnival to life beyond the traditional parades. Together, they have launched Carnival Quest, a fun treasure hunt, Carnival Story, and a DJ competition. These initiatives perfectly illustrate the group's philosophy: to make the carnival accessible to all and to promote local talent. "What I love about this festival is its inclusive nature. Whether you're young, old, a foreigner or not, there's a place for you. You can come in your eco-friendly costume or your super-expensive one, you'll enjoy it just the same." The Saint Martin carnival is increasingly putting the island in the international spotlight. Compared to giants like Rio de Janeiro, Saint Martin's authenticity and charm really stand out. Luciana is convinced that this human scale is a major asset. For the future, Luciana and the members of the association dream of a more collaborative and territorial approach, involving the population, public authorities and the private sector more in defining the future of the carnival together. But one thing is certain: "The carnival does not belong to FCDSM. We just got together to continue celebrating this tradition in an organised way," she humbly reminds us. Under her benevolent leadership and thanks to the unfailing commitment of her team, the Saint Martin carnival continues to write its history with joy and authenticity.
