The Malta Carnival, the celebration that has been taking place in our islands for hundreds of years, will once again be celebrated in a festival of joy, colors and tradition with a program full of activities for the whole family. This year, the official dates of the Carnival will be from 9 to 13 February 2024.
In a news conference, the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici spoke about the importance of the carnival in the cultural calendar of our country not only from a historical and patrimonial point of view, but more importantly, in today’s times, as a living and contemporary celebration. He also said that the Malta Carnival also serves as an attraction for tourists who visit us during this time.
“The Malta Carnival 2024 will be a significant one as around 23 companies will take part in the Carnival. This number has not been reached in the Malta Carnival since the eighties,” stressed Minister Bonnici while paying tribute to the memory of Pawlu Curmi ‘il-Pampalun’ who is considered by many to be the father of Carnival. This will be the first Carnival that will be staged after his death.
This year, the Malta Carnival will not only have the parades with floats with various themes that will brighten up the streets of Valletta and Floriana, but will also include a number of other events.
Key among these events is the Qarcilla, the street theater tradition that was practiced at the time of the Knights of San Ġwann and that this year will mark ten years since it started to be staged again. This theatrical event, directed and produced by Joseph Galea and written by Çikku l’Poplu, will be staged in Triq l’Ordinanza (next to the Royal Theatre), and will be free of charge.
The Chairperson of Festivals Malta, Aaron Zahra, stated “The Malta Carnival has a most significant legacy. With what we will offer to the public this year, we will continue to grow this traditional annual event. Apart from the big celebrations that will take place in Valletta and Floriana, this year we will again extend the Carnival in the locality of Ħamrun and for the first time in Żurrieq. Through the Carnival we are giving an opportunity to expose the Maltese capacity and talent on an international platform and give a well-deserved tribute to those who work year after year to make our country’s Carnival a success.”
CEO of Festivals Malta Frans Agius spoke about the memory of Paul Curmi ‘il-Pampalun’, who was one of the people who gave his life to the Carnival and always stood out for his celebratory character . “This year, Festivals Malta in collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv and Heritage Malta, in the Atrium of Spazju Kreattiv will be staging an exhibition in honor of Pampalun called ‘Pawlu Curmi ‘Il-Pampalun’ ‘: The Man and the Legend’, and the curator of this exhibition will be the historian Mario Coleiro.”
Mr. Agius explained that the legacy left by Paul Curmi is a very important aspect both for the Carnival and the Carnival organizing team of Festivals Malta and said that there will also be a documentary uploaded in collaboration with Popolin which will be broadcast on TVM.
The Artistic Director of the Malta Carnival Jason Busuttil also spoke and said that in terms of movements and colors this year is a record for dance competitions where there will be over 23 companies with costumes and great choreography. “After an absence of 25 years, we will also see the traditional Maltese band, the band with a float and a cheer group together, first in Hamrun on the 4th of February then in Valletta on the 10th , the 11th and 12th of February”, said Mr. Busuttil. He also spoke about the importance of inclusion and stressed that the organizing committee has taken care that this year there will be a dance by children and adults with special needs.
For more information on the program of the Malta Carnival 2024, visit the site www.festivals.mt/karnival or the social media of the Malta Carnival on Facebook or Instagram.
