European Carnival cities' convention in Nadur

The 25th International Convention of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC), in which some 450 delegates will take part, is being held in Nadur from today to Saturday.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet representatives of carnival organisations from all over Europe while learning more about our country's history, art, traditions, folklore, natural beauty, elegance and warm Mediterranean hospitality.

The convention opens today at 10 a.m. with a parade along December 13 Street with the participation of the Mnarja Band, the Mnarja Folk Group, the St Venera Boys' Scouts, various foreign and local carnival companies and all the delegates attending the convention.

The inauguration will be held at the Mnarja Band Club Theatre, starting with welcome speeches by Nadur Mayor Chris Said and FECC president Henry Van der Kroon, after which all delegates will receive a commemorative medal. The programme will include entertainment by the Island Quintet and the Body Art Dance Group.

At 3 p.m. there will be a parade along December 13 Street to the village square, where carnival companies from Nadur and Malta will be presenting carnival floats, dances, comic sketches, costumes and bands.

At 8, all guest carnival companies and delegates will march along Republic Street in Victoria to Independence Square, where they will enjoy a dance presentation by YADA on the history of Gozo, organised by the Gozo Cultural Council.

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. the National Folklore Commission of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture is holding a parade along Republic Street, Valletta, with carnival floats, bands and delegates. The parade will end in front of the President's Palace, after which delegates will meet the President.

Xaghra council is holding a traditional evening, including the Kumittiva and other traditional Carnival dances by the Patri Mattew Sultana Primary School, the Xaghra Folklore Group, the Youth Centre dance company and the Catholic Action Group on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The special guests for the evening are singers Miriam Christine Borg and John Cassar, and the Broadcasters and Kurent from Ptuj Carnival, Slovenia.

Gozitan youths are invited to meet Dutch Cardinal Adrianus Simonis, who has been invited to bless the convention, at Nadur Basilica at 8.30.

On Wednesday at 6 p.m. a monument representing Carnival by the Gozitan artist and sculptor John Grima will be inaugurated in Ghajn Qasab Street, Nadur. The Jacksons Pipe Band will take part in the ceremony.

This will be followed by a thanksgiving Mass at Nadur Basilica at 6.30 and a high Mass at 7, led by Cardinal Simonis, with the participation of an orchestra conducted by Mgr Martin Portelli, and the Nadur parish choir, Jubilate Deo.

On Thursday at 9 p.m., four foreign guest companies will provide the night's entertainment with samba (Portugal), acrobatic dancers (Germany), Guggamusic Band (Switzerland) and elaborate costumes (Italy) on December 13 Street.

Carnivals worldwide - an audio-visual presentation - is being held on Archpriest Martin Camilleri Square on Friday at 7 p.m.

Every delegation will present a five-minute feature about the way Carnival is celebrated in their country.

At 9.30 p.m. all the convention participants can enjoy a night of fun and laughter along with hundreds of carnival-lovers from Nadur and Malta at December 13 Street.

The closing ceremony, which is being held a the local council gardens on Saturday at 7 p.m., will include a variety show featuring local and foreign carnival companies, along with the best of Maltese talent.

A ground fireworks display will be held on St Peter and St Paul Square.

The convention will close with a big street party in Nadur with the participation of local and foreign bands and maskerati on December 13 Street at 10 p.m.

A collective art exhibition entitled 'Carnival Impressions' is also being held from today to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ministry for Gozo Exhibition Hall, Victoria. A number of items will also be for sale.