Notting Hill Carnival 2013 kicks off in style

Europe’s largest street festival kicked off in style with Jouvert. The tradition, which marks the start of carnival takes place between 6am to 9am.

During Jouvert, revelers daub paint and mud on themselves as a traditional way of driving away demons.

For many people Jouvert represents far more.  Speaking to Flyer one person said: “We want freedom, liberation and compensation for slavery, we are still enslaved culturally as a people. We have painted ourselves black as a cultural link to our ancestors to ensure that the sacrifices they made will never be forgotten, when we paint ourselves our ancestors are walking with us today.”

The first day of the Notting Hill Carnival, which is traditionally children’s day, attracted thousands of people.

Children arrived early and were revelling in the delight of being given make-up.

Others used the time to perfect their dance routines ahead of the judging panel.

With everything in place including brunch – carnivalistas took to the streets of the capital around 11.am.

With the bank-holiday weather set to peak around 30 degrees London truly was basking in the traditions of the Caribbean.