London is the capital of Great Britain and its largest city. It attracts a great number of foreign tourists. They come to see its sights: the famous Tower Castle, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Whitehall with the world famous Big Ben clock tower, the British Museum with a rich collection of ancient exhibits, Madame Tussauds and much more.
Visitors to London can experience the life of ordinary Englishmen by visiting famous English pubs, shops, walking the streets and parks of the city. London is famous not only for its sights, but also for its numerous performances, competitions, festivals. One such event is Europe's largest street festival, which takes place annually at the end of August in London's Notting Hill. This area was previously familiar to Russian citizens only from the story of Conan Doyle "The Hound of the Baskervilles", since it was in Notting Hill that the convict Selden, the unlucky brother of the venerable Mrs. Barrymore, committed his crime. Now it is famous for its colorful festival.
London is home to a huge number of immigrants from the former British colonies in Africa, Asia and the West Indies. It was the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands of the West Indies, who settled in London, who came up with this festival almost forty years ago. For two days, the streets of Notting Hill are filled with crowds of people in colorful masquerade costumes, to the loud playing of musical instruments characteristic of the region (mainly drums), they have fun. The noise is incredible, the atmosphere is bright and incendiary.
Mostly very young people participate in the carnival, since the first day of the festival, which traditionally opens on the penultimate Sunday in August, is officially considered Children's Day. But adults do not stay away from this fun either. Spectators visiting Notting Hill can enjoy not only colorful processions, but also the play of numerous musical groups.
Of course, not all residents of Notting Hill are happy with such noise and crowd. But what can you do! Lovers of peace and quiet can only be patient and hope that such a festival takes place only once a year, and two days will fly by quickly.
