Nadur to be crowned 'world's carnival city'

The Nadur local council has taken a number of measures to ensure that the popularity of carnival does not leave any mark on the "spontaneous, macabre" festival that takes place in the locality every year.

In fact, from this year, there will no longer be an organised competition for big carnival floats. The decision was taken to encourage more people from Nadur to take an active part in the spontaneous celebration.

A study group was set up a few months ago to examine Nadur's spontaneous carnival, which is unique in Malta and Gozo.

Meanwhile, the Federation of European Carnival Cities will this year crown Nadur "The World's Carnival City". Carnival will be celebrated from February 19 - 24.

The local council is preparing to hold a number of events including a Carnival Ball on February 19, a children's carnival show on February 20 and the popular Sunday Extravaganza on February 22.

The four-hour show on Sunday will include all sorts of carnival competitions, the traditional Kukkanja and non-stop entertainment. A band from Sweden, Kultur Shocker, will also take part. The band was invited over from Sweden by the council and will participate in other carnival celebrations around the country.

The Nadur council will host the 25th FECC Convention in May when about 400 carnival enthusiasts from all over Europe will visit Gozo for the special silver jubilee convention.

www.nadur.gov.mt