I have to agree that carnival without the floats just wouldn't be carnival as we know it though I doubt they had floats when it all started in the early 1500s. It does attract a lot of tourists to Malta: my wife and I have come four times for it but never again after the way we were treated this last time.

We had tickets for the Tuesday evening and, along with a great number of others, we were forced to wait till after the performance had started before we were finally let into the seating area, being told that they couldn't allow anyone in, despite people being allowed in on the other side of the stands.

My wife and I are both disabled and we were forced to stand for almost an hour, then battled to get to seats that gave us a view of the show. In the past, we have had tickets and allocated seats, we could get in some time before the start and did not have to fight for the seats.

If Malta is going to promote carnival, then the seating must be sorted and the old system reinstated. If the government can't, or won't, find somewhere for the floats to be built, then could it be that they would rather see the end of carnival?

After all, it will be an inconvenience if and when the old opera house site is developed.

Could it be they would rather move it out of Valletta and out to Ta' Qali?

Then the floats could parade round the stadium, the dancing could be held in the centre of the field and seating could be sold to a greater number of persons.