A dancer makes her way along the route of the annual Children's Day Parade of the Notting Hill Carnival1 in London August 26, 2001. An estimated 2 million revellers are expected to descend2 on Notting Hill for the 37th annual carnival, Europe's biggest street festival. [Reuters]

This great festival began initially³ from the energies of Black immigrants (黑人移民) from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad (特立尼达岛), where the Carnival tradition is very strong, and from people living locally who dreamed of (梦想着) creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom were facing racism⁴ (种族主义), lack of (缺乏) working opportunities, poor housing conditions resulting in (导致) a general suppression of good self-esteem (自尊).

Dancers covered in chocolate make their way along the route of the annual Children's Day Parade of the Notting Hill carnival in London August 26, 2001.[Reuters]

Labroke Grove⁵ is the heart of the spectacular Notting Hill Carnival, held each August Bank Holiday since 1964. This holiday always falls on the last weekend of August with Sunday and Monday being the major carnival days. There are scores of massive 'sound systems', many spectacular floats (游行彩车) and steel drum bands additionally. There are hundreds of stalls (货摊) lining⁶ the streets of the area selling all sorts of food and drink including Caribbean specialities (特产).

Five disciplines go to make up the carnival as we know it today. Mas' from (costume, Masquerade), Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion⁷ (结合)of Soul and Calypso) and Static Sound Systems all play their part on the two days of Carnival-on-the-Road.

Decked (装饰) in spectacular colors, hundreds of children got their parade under way on Sunday, ahead of more than 100 floats and thousands of performers who will stage the main parade on Monday. Party-goers will eat, drink and dance their way through the terraced streets (带有台阶的街道)

The carnival, which takes place in the streets of a west London district made famous by the movie ``Notting Hill'' starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, has become one of the most celebrated⁸ symbols of multi-cultural Britain.