Spontaneity and satire at Nadur Carnival

The spontaneous Nadur carnival once again set itself apart from the mainstream performances, opting for spoofs, satire and sensation, rather than the fluorescent colours and childhood themes of the organised carnivals.

Revellers took the mickey out of politicians, in particular the political party leaders, EU enlargement commissioner Gunter Verheugen and General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb.

It means that the revellers were in breach of the law - political satire in carnival is not allowed under the 1934 police regulations. But no eyebrows are known to have been raised, so perhaps the Carnival Commission's 1998 request for satire to be allowed, should be seriously considered - by those likely to be the subject of the satire.

Dark themes predominated in Nadur, with death portrayed in various ways.

The carnival will be repeated today and tomorrow at 8 p.m. with the participation of a German band, the Gachische Guggenmusig.

Nadur has been chosen as the World Carnival City for 2005, an occasion which will bring over 300 delegates to the village.

Elsewhere throughout the country, carnival continued in various places, with Valletta being the focus of the dance competitions and decorated floats, although a light drizzle put quite a damper on the afternoon défilé.

Other villages also organised events, and competitions and mini-carnivals were held in Dingli, Gudja, Siggiewi, Paola, Qormi, Zabbar, Zebbug, Tarxien and Mellieha.

Carnival will come to an end today, with a défilé and competition in Freedom Square from 3 to 8.30 p.m. and a défilé down St Anne Street in Floriana from 6.30 to 11 p.m. Carnival this year is ending a day earlier than normal, because of events leading up to Saturday's referendum.

The Malta Transport Authority said that St Anne Street will be closed to traffic along both lanes from 4.30 p.m.