Curtain comes down on carnival

The reign of fun and revelry came to an grand conclusion yesterday after five days which saw thousands of spectators swarming to Valletta and other parts of the islands.

The weather was more benign than usual with blue skies although a bit windy.

Crowds flocked to the capital yesterday to watch the Gran Defile of floats and later the Gran Finale as the multi-coloured floats left Valletta and passed through St Anne Street, Floriana.

The somewhat pagan flavour of carnival gives way to a holy event, as the Catholic Church today celebrates Ash Wednesday marking the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days of prayer and special penance in preparation for Easter.