Safeguarding our traditions

However small, Malta has her own unique traditions and celebrations. Some emerged from among our village and town communities over the centuries, others were adopted and transmuted into national events to highlight our Maltese identity. Carnival is a typical case – a time of colour fusions, costumes and general merriment since even before the advent of the Knights of St John in 1530. It is a tradition that has undergone various mutations as a result of past prohibitions and other social realities, before assuming its unique Maltese character. The one were celebrate and enjoy today.

For many years, however, there was the general feeling that village and town carnival celebrations across Malta and Gozo were gradually being lost due to new social attraction. Memories of the young and old wearing all sorts of home-made costumes and pygamas, celebrating carnival in their village and town pjazzas and narrow streets survived. They were the trigger to turning overall concern into initiatives aimed at reviving and safeguarding those local manifestations that precede the Lenten period. Carnival without its local touch could have become a soulless event. People can now join the carnival spectacles in their localities, then merging with the masses in Valletta. Happily, gone are the infamous potato and pastizzi battles of the past, though.

Carnival traditionally starts at village level before reaching its final revelry in the Capital. Both need the other. Recent years have seen the launching of various special schemes aimed at financially assisting those local councils interested in organising carnival celebrations within their localities. Such initiatives have helped in no small way in reviving the local carnival celebrations, alongside the massive aid provided to participants in the national events in Valletta.

A total of 42 local councils across these Islands took part in this year’s carnival. At Marsa, for example, a combined band from the town’s band clubs played a prominent part within the locality’s activities that also included dancing troupes, floats, the popular maskaruni, and the presentation of traditional carnival treats such as the prinjolata and perlini. In Senglea, music and dancing performed by carnival companies featured with the participation of popular singers Glen Vella, Tiziana Calleja, and DJ Charles Field.

All 42 participating local councils received funds from the Local Government Division to provide parades, activities featuring traditional carnival food, and other happy events within their localities. The residents of Ħ’Attard, Mosta, Naxxar, San Ġwann, San Pawl il-Baħar, Birkirkara, Gżira, Ħal Għargħur, San Ġiljan, l-Isla, Bormla, Ħaż-Żabbar, Fgura, Floriana, Kalkara, Paola, Ħal Tarxien, Żejtun, Birżebbuġa, Gudja, Ħal Għaxaq, Ħamrun, Ħal Luqa, Marsa, Santa Luċija, Santa Venera, Siġġiewi, Ħad-Dingli, Ħal Kirkop, Imqabba, Qrendi, Rabat, Malta, Ħal Safi, Żurrieq, as well as Għajnsielem, Għarb, Munxar, San Lawrenz, Ta’ Sannat, Xagħra, Xewkija, and Żebbuġ in Gozo were the beneficiaries.

The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, cited the importance of a nationwide celebration of carnival. He said everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy this traditional feast, including persons who are unable to make it to Valletta. Increased Government funds help local councils to provide better-quality activities that preserve Maltese traditions and culture.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, too emphasised the need to involve local communities in carnival celebrations. This year’s programme of activities reflected the Central Government’s committment to safeguarding our traditions and culture in every village and town. Alison Zerafa Civelli added “It is why we have insisted on providing more financial aid to local councils as they seek better tools and resources to offer better-quality activities.”

The carnival is well and truly over for this year, but there are other traditions and cultural activities to be held and safeguarded. While they form part of our combined national and historical memory, they pave the way for children and the young to eventually take the baton in preserving traditions and culture that underline our Maltese identity.