Carnival workshops may be moved from St Elmo

This year's carnival, to be held between Thursday and February 24, includes a number of novelties, such as a street dancing competition and a carnival parade in Paola.

Launching the carnival programme yesterday, Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett said that through the holding of this carnival, Malta was continuing a 470-year-old tradition.

There were more than 37 events and the companies involved are diverse, including the University Students' Council. There are also 13 local councils besides the Valletta and Floriana councils that are having carnival in their locality.

He said that once this carnival's celebrations were over, the carnival village issue would again be taken up. There were several proposals which all had to be considered and it was possible that the carnival workshops would be moved from St Elmo, in Valletta.

For the first time this year, carnival floats are to be officially on show to the public on February 22 between 10 a.m. and noon at the Granaries, in Floriana. There will be several animators, games and gifts for children.

Street dancing was also going to be revived. This had been very popular in the past but it has not been organised for 66 years. There will be street dancing on Friday and on February 22 during the main carnival defilè around the streets of Valletta.

The Folklore Commission is also being involved in the organisation of carnival at Paola, which is being organised together with Paola council. A defilè will start from Cospicua Road on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Carnival is also being transmitted live on www.di-ve.com. There will also be live broadcasts on TVM and Channel 12.

There will be an exhibition put up by the Youth Services Organisation within the Education Division together with the National Folklore Commission. The exhibition will include paintings, miniature floats, masks and collages. It will be at the Education Ministry, in Floriana and will be open between Friday and February 24.

Carnival celebrations start on Thursday at 5.30 p.m. with the Giovedi Gras around the streets of Vittoriosa. On Friday morning the exhibition will be inaugurated. At 5.30 p.m. there will be street dancing and a small defilè starting from St George's Square, in Valletta. There will also be activities in Qrendi and Zebbug. On Saturday morning there will be children's carnival in Freedom Square with competitions in the afternoon.

Carnival in Paola will be celebrated on Saturday evening.

On February 22, there will be morning carnival activities in Hamrun, Zurrieq, Zabbar, Siggiewi, Dingli, Qormi, Gzira and Floriana.

The main carnival celebration will be in Valletta on Sunday afternoon.

On February 23, there will be afternoon carnival activities in Birzebbuga and in Valletta and in the evening in Mellieha.

Carnival comes to an end on February 24 with activities in Valletta and Floriana.