Carnival participants accuse culture council of delaying tactics

The Association of Carnival Participants yesterday criticised the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts for using "delaying tactics" and proposing radical changes that went against the carnival tradition.

They criticised members of the council for saying that things had to be done their way and that those who disagreed could simply opt out of participating.

But council CEO Davinia Galea said plans were under way and would be released imminently.

"However, these plans will be final and need to be respected because it is the council that is organising and paying for the event not the participants," she said.

The MCCA has had to reorganise carnival because of the Renzo Piano Valletta projects as construction work would be taking place in Freedom Square in Valletta where carnival is usually held.

The carnival participants insisted that the event's format could be adapted without being drastically and capriciously changed to satisfy the whims of "certain people".

They said they had made proposals for an alternative programme and site where carnival could be held, including a suggestion to upgrade the importance of carnival in Floriana.

Ms Galea attributed ulterior motives behind such proposal, adding she was adamant that carnival would remain in Valletta.

The participants' association said it saw big logistic problems in the new route being proposed by the council and appealed for its proposals to be restudied so that an agreement could be reached.

It also called on Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco to intervene for the issue to be solved.