Preparations for Summer Carnival in full swing

The fifth edition of the Summer Carnival will be held between the 25th and 27th of August in St Paul’s Bay and in Marsascala. 

Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici and the Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista have lauched this year's Summer Carnival, which is being organised by the Malta Arts Council in collaboration with Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Malta Tourism Authority, St Paul’s Bay Local Council and Marsascala’s Local Council. 

Pointing to the event's increasing popularity and growing number of participating dance companies, Minister Bonnici said this reflected the results of a Malta Arts Council survey which placed Carnival as the second most popular culturalactivity. 

Minister Bonnici said the event "showed the Government’s commitment towards the Carnival tradition while continuing with the plan to strengthen professionalism in the cultural sector, one of the main priorities in this sector."

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista said that although carnival traditionally associated with Valletta, the government was trying to propagate such events into towns and villages. Debattista announced that this effort will continue throughout next year, when Valletta will be holding the title of European Capital of Culture. 

Minister Bonnici and Parliamentary Secretary Debattista thanked all participants for their commitment to keeping the Carnival tradition alive, not only through building floats and dancing but also through traditional activities such as the ‘ġostra’.

The Summer Carnival in St Paul’s Bay will begin on Friday 25th August at 6.30pm next to “ilGillieru” (Church Street) with the traditional ‘ġostra’ greasy pole event, while on Saturday 26th August, 6.30pm, another ‘ġostra’ will be organised in the vicinities of Santana Hotel. On both dates a parade will follow.  At 7pm on Sunday 27th August, the Carnival will move to Marsascala, starting off with a parade of 11 floats and 10 dance companies along the promenade.