This year’s Carnival of Carols was a hit, not only with the excited children up on stage but also with the parents who enjoyed seeing their young ones squeal over Santa’s arrival. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Santa came early this year. Riding on top of a red Volkswagen Beetle, he made his grand entrance on Saturday evening towards a choir of excited children who burst into loud squeals of joy.
At the 12th Carnival of Carols, more than 300 children between the ages of four and 14 from the Archdiocese of Karachi sang Christmas carols in the lawns of St Lawrence's Church, while their parents and grandparents sitting in the audience cheered them on.
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Thirteen-year-old Alex Rodrigues has been part of the choir for the last four years. "I feel happy," he said, beaming after the event. "'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' is my favourite carol." Caroline, his mother, called it a very beautiful event of children coming together and singing.
The boys were dressed in white shirts and black trousers along with red bowties. The girls wore shiny dresses. All of them wore Santa Claus's symbolic red and white caps. They started off with 'Silent Night, Holy Night', livening up the evening with famous carols such as 'Jingle Bells', 'Joy to the World' and ending with 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.
Caleb Lobo sat in the audience cheering for her six-year-old son, who excitedly waits for the entire year for this occasion. "My son loves to sing and waits especially for this event," she claimed. The parents were given carols on December 1 to practice with their children at home. Caleb gets a special red bow every year for her son to wear at the occasion.
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At the end of the night, balloons were released into the air and there was a display of fireworks. The musical event was conducted by a visually impaired musician named Desmond Vas. "I love kids and Christmas is for kids," he said. Having been part of St Lawrence Church's choir for 43 years, Vas feels that people should also care for those less fortunate than themselves on Christmas. Handing out red goody bags filled with chocolates and biscuits, the Santa Claus said he felt out of the world, "I feel fluffed up," he said, his trademark jolly smile wreathed across his face.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2015.
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