Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/269668
Having kicked off last Thursday, the valletta carnival will continue to dominate valletta's streets until Tuesday, 4 March. apart from returning to St george's Square in valletta, this year's carnival is notable for signal- ling the return of political satire, as the curiously enduring ban on de- picting political figures in carnival floats was imposed in the 1930s and only lifted last year. So it was hardly a surprise to see floats depicting the likes of Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi (holding up a banner emblazoned with his trade- mark statement "Shame on you"), Franco Debono, Claudette Butti- gieg, giovanna Debono and former transport minister austin gatt at- tracting attention on the streets. in an interview with MaltaToday, Chairman of the Malta Carnival Committee Jason Busuttil said that the re-introduction of political sat- ire will give the valletta Carnival some of its bite back. "People were getting tired of the same old, innocuous cartoon-char- acter carnival floats. "i'm confident that satirical floats of known politicians will rekindle an interest for carnival amongst older audiences. Of course, they require skill and attention detail, so there's that to consider too. But i know they'll be a key attraction, and let's face it – all politicians land themselves in some sort of pickle once or twice a year, so i'm pretty sure we'll never be short of ideas," he said. Though it comes with some in- novations – like the involvement of the London-based, ethnically Car- ibbean performers from the annual notting Hill Carnival –this year's carnival is predominantly marked by a return to neglected traditions. One of these is the performance of the 'qarcilla' – a traditional farce this year penned by beloved author Trevor Zahra – which was staged in front of St John's Co-Cathedral. Together with a drive to revive the Summer Carnival – re-staged last august in the Bugibba main square – the Carnival Commit- tee, working hand in hand with government, will strive to set up a 'carnival village' in Marsa, where f loat-builders and other carnival enthusiasts will have the necessary space to cultivate their talents. "Plans to set up a 'carnival vil- lage' in Marsa are well underway now, and we should see it come into effect as of next year. This will finally provide an adequate space for f loat-makers, with regular workshops taking place too. it will also allow us to concentrate more on the quality of the f loats them- selves," Busuttil told MaltaToday. News maltatoday, Sunday, 2 march 2014 Political satire dominates Valletta Carnival PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAy AttARd VALLETTA CARNIVAL PROGRAMME TOday 12:30 Carnival Grand Defile starting from castille Square, merchants Street, archbishop Street, proceeding to the carnival arena at St George's Square. after St George's Square the defile continues along republic Street up to city Gate. 14:30 Grand Carnival Spectacle with the participation of dancing companies in costume, company floats Section a and B, Triumphal Floats, Grotesque masks, the band Big Friends Guggen musik, Satirical Floats, and special guests from notting hill carnival. St George's Square arena seating tickets €12. march 3 10:15 Monday Carnival Parade during the morning with the participation of various dancing schools and satirical isolated masks. 15:30 The last night of the dancing costume competitions sections c, B and a followed by the Grand defile including all triumphal floats, companies in costume and floats, grotesque masks and satirical floats. Special reduced price for St George's Square arena seating tickets €5. march 4 10:15 Tuesday Carnival Parade during the morning with the participation of various dancing schools and satirical isolated masks. 18:00 Carnival Grand Finale along St anne Street, Floriana with the participation of all items of this year's carnival and special guests from notting hill carnival.