Some hate it; others bear it, while others simply live every day of the year waiting for those five short days, usually in February, when the silliness, the senseless and the idiotic takes over.
Carnival is a passion shared by many people, including the Maltese. Beyond any doubt the centre of attraction of today's Maltese Carnival are the grand defiles of floats in the streets of Valletta and Floriana.
Malta Carnival 2010 proposed programmeFriday 12th February, 201018.00 hrs - 20.00hrs Dance Competition and small defile at Freedom Square
(Enclosure tickets €4)
Saturday 13th February, 201010.00 hrs Children’s Dance Programme and Defile in Freedom Square – programme ends around noon.
(Enclosure tickets €5)
10.30 hrs Defile from City Gate with the participation of King Carnival float, isolated masks, decorated vehicles. Defile will proceed along Republic Street, St. John’s Street and up to Merchants Street
16.00 hrs Band Show in Valletta
17.00 hrs Triumphal Floats will proceed from the Bus Terminus into Valletta. Grotesque Masks will participate in the Valletta defile
17.30 hrs – 21.00 hrs Dance Competition at Freedom Square. Participation of Masks, Isolated Masks and triumphal floats in Valletta
(Enclosure tickets €10)
18.30 hrs The defile will proceed to St. Anne Street, Floriana for the late night defile and night carnival which will also include the Kukkanja and other activities intended for the public such as carnival balls, carnival games and live bands.
Sunday 14th February, 201012.30 hrs Defile starts from the Granaries (Fosos), Floriana and proceeds to Castille Place, Merchants Street, St. John’s Street, Republic Street, Freedom Square and finally St. James Ditch.
14.00 hrs Grand Carnival Show at Freedom Square Valletta which includes the Grand Defile.
(Enclosure tickets €10)
Monday 15th February, 201010.00 hrs Carnival Band Parade with the participation of a Carnival Band and children’s dance groups in costume. Band Parade will circulate Republic Street, Melita Street, Merchants Street, St. Lucy Street, up to City Gate
17.00 hrs Street Parade along Merchants Street, St. John’s Street and Republic Street composed of King Carnival float, Masks, Band, and all dance companies with their respective floats
17.30 hrs Dance Competition at Freedom Square
(Enclosure tickets €4)
Tuesday 16th February, 201010.00 hrs Carnival Band Parade with the participation of a Carnival Band and children’s dance groups in costume. Band Parade will circulate Republic Street, Melita Street, Merchants Street, St. Lucy Street, up to City Gate
15.30 hrs Floats will proceed to Valletta
17.00 hrs Carnival show including the Grand Defile
(Enclosure tickets €4)
18.15 hrs Grand Finale at St. Anne’s Street, Floriana.
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The Malta Carnival 2010 will have many new events including the ‘Night Carnival Feast’ in Floriana on Saturday 13th February at 6pm.This will continue till the early hours of Sunday morning. The Kukkanja is one of the main attractions organised that night. Last year the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts successfully revived the traditional Kukkanja. In this game people try to collect as many presents as they can while they climb up a pole overcoming the obstacles they encounter.
The Kukkanja started in Malta in 1721 during the rule of the Knights of St John but was stopped for a number of years after that. In 1955 the Maltese Government re-introduced it in the Carnival activities but afterwards it was stopped. The kukkanja was again held between 1993 and 1997. It was only last year that the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts brought it to life again through an innovative programme. The winners will also win monetary prizes. The first prize will be €200, the second prize will be €100 and the third prize will be €50.
Anyone over 18 years of age may participate. There will also be a category for women. Participants may take part as individuals or may represent their locality, or their organisation. To participate please send your details (name, surname, address, date of birth and telephone number) by email to noel.damato@maltaculture.com or come to the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 ‘Casa Gaspe’, Republic Street, Valletta during office hours. For more information you may phone 21245168 or 21232515. This year’s Kukkanja is supported by Floriana Local Council.
