Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/826629
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 MAY 2017 47 This Week MALTA is hosting the 37th con- vention of the Federation of Eu- ropean Carnival Cities between May 15 and 22. One hundred and sixty delegates are expected to at- tend the convention, which is be- ing organised by the Valletta Local Council in full collaboration with the Malta Arts Council. Additional assistance is being provided by the Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government, the Ministry of Gozo, as well as the local councils of Xagħra and Nadur, Gozo, with the latter organising a special edi- tion of a spontaneous carnival in Nadur on May 20. The Federation of European Car- nival Cities is an international or- ganisation comprised of a number of global cities that organise carni- vals in their respective localities. The organisation was founded in 1980 in Patras, Greece. Malta be- came a member in 1985 and was one of the principle member coun- tries along with Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and England. Over the years, many other organisa- tions from different countries have joined as official members. The Federation meets twice- yearly: once around October and November for Dies Natalis – a meeting which commemorates the founding of the organisation – and once during May for an annual convention. The annual convention deals with themes of general interest regarding Carnival activities related to all respective organising members. Addition- ally, the same convention serves as a cultural exchange agreement. Malta has organised three suc- cessful conventions over the years, the first being in May 1987. The second convention in Malta took place in 1995 with a record attend- ance of 102 participants. It was after this success that Malta, with assistance from the Nadur Local Council, organised the 25th an- nual convention in May 2005. The main activities of Malta's fourth convention are intended for delegates to come together, share ideas, as well as experi- ence some of the culture of Malta and what its Karnival has to of- fer. Last Wednesday (May 17), the trailer of this year's Carnival King was put on display in Free- dom Square, Valletta along with a specially constructed trailer for Carnival Malta on the occasion of the Maltese Presidency of the European Council. The trailers were revealed during an afternoon event following a flag parade of all participating countries of the con- vention and a press conference in Hastings Gardens at 13:00. The public was also invited to at- tend an activity organised by the Nadur Local Council last Satur- day (May 20) from 20:00 onwards in Nadur. Delegates present in Nadur were also be the guests of Xagħra Local Council in Xagħra and Vittoria, where the Ministry of Gozo aims to give the delegates a taste of what the island of Gozo has to offer. A thanksgiving mass will take place today at 19:30 at the Maddalena chapel in Merchant Street, Valletta, which was used for several years as a place where carnival trailers were constructed. Today, the chapel is under restora- tion to bring it back to its former glory as one of several churches and chapels the capital is widely known for. Malta has been a member of the Federation since 1985 Malta currently hosting the Convention of the Federation of European Carnival Cities YOU ASKED US TO ELIMINATE RESTRICTIONS ON ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS WE DELIVERED Putting you at the heart of Europe Our digital single market strategy ensures that by 2018, you can enjoy your favourite online content, anywhere in the EU, as if you were at home. ZiguZajg earns European recognition The annual Malta-based arts and culture festival for children and young adults now bears official recognition by EFFE THE ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children & Young People has just been awarded the Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe (EFFE) label 2017-2018, meaning that it is now part of the EFFE festival community, a se- lection of European festivals that stand out for their artistic quality. Festivals awarded the EFFE label, like ŻiguŻajg, are festi- vals considered to have a significant impact on the local, national and European level. This has been announced in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, during the EFFE Meet Up, an ex- change and networking event which brought to- gether some 250 festival representatives from all over Europe. The Festival, scrutinised by an international jury, was noted for being an initiative that is "gener- ally strong in artistic quality"; one which "scores high in European and International engagement and community involvement". As not- ed by Daniel Azzopardi, the Fes- tival Director, such endorsement from a reputable network provides further evidence of ŻiguŻajg's track-record in producing work of high quality. In the coming years international cross-collaborations are set to increase with more pro- fessional development opportuni- ties and social engagement with alternative audiences thus ensur- ing the Festival remains a corner- stone of the national cultural cal- endar. This year's edition of ŻiguŻajg Festival, happening between November 17 and 26, will once again nurture an artistic tradition developed during the last seven years. With a professional frame- work that involves thousands of creatives, ŻiguŻajg continues to present thousands of younger au- diences with showcases of high ar- tistic excellence and international regard.