No headway in talks on workshops for float-makers
The association of Carnival float-makers said today that it would participate in this weekend's Carnival 'under protest' since no headway has been made in talks with the government on alternative premises which they can use to build the floats in.
The float-makers have been ordered to evict stores near Luqa and at Lower Fort St Elmo but the alternative they were offered, at Ta' Qali, was deemed unsuitable because of the distance from Valletta.
Jason Busuttil, who heads the Ghaqda Participanti tal-Karnival said this morning that all the carnival floats would be carrying a message about the current situation.
On Saturday morning, all carnival participants will join forces 'to deliver their message' Mr Busuttil said, without elaboration.
He warned however, that carnival next year would be very different, and of an inferior standard, unless the float-builders were given a place where they could work.
SMALLER FLOATS
Anton Miceli, project manager of the Malta Arts Council, said the floats would be smaller this year because the float-builders had originally been told they would not be able to parade in Freedom Square, because of the City Gate project.
He said that an innovation this year would be decorated cars, which was a new element meant to encourage more young people to take part.
Building on last year's success, carnival on Saturday will continue well into the night at St Anne Street, Floriana, with activities including the defile' and games.
A spontaneous Carnival will be held in Valletta on Monday morning.
Mr Micelli welcomed the fact that a record number of schools had entered their participation for the children's carnival on Saturday morning.
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laurence schembri
Feb 9th 2010, 12:09
Empty fifteen years of promises by this administration. Carnival Village my foot!
A Zahra
Feb 9th 2010, 10:28
I am not a person who likes carnival and have never put on a Carnival constume in my life. However I am four square in support of the float builders in this issue. They definietly need support on this and segrating them in remote Ta qali simply undermines the long term continuity of this tradition especially when one considers that most of these individuals hail from Valletta and the surroundings. Why not dedicate part of the disused drydocks for this ???
John Carmel Navarro
Feb 8th 2010, 19:06
It is blatantly obvious that the well meaning people who are putting comments in good faith have no idea as to what it takes to build a float. The Float makers must be given a proper place; we just cannot allow the powers that are to treat them worst than gipsies pushing them from pillar to post. This is not a Political issue whereby trying to gain points for or against the Government, the core of those who bother to get involved in the Carnival I can assure you do because it is in their blood and want to keep our culture and traditions going and not do it for the pittance that is paid in prizes.
Alfred Fenech
Feb 8th 2010, 18:31
I have said it before but it has fallen on deaf ears: THERE IS A PERFECTLY GOOD HANGAR STRUCTURE BEING DEMOLISHED IN HAL SAFI IN 2 WEEKS. ALL IT NEEDS IS NEW CLADDING SHEETS. Why don't the authorities look into disassembling and moving it to somewhere ideal rather than scrapping it.Minister Cristina take note.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 8th 2010, 15:20
C. Azzopardi - I totally agree, but then again that is the state of the cultural stagnation and the way in which some view culture (as well as randomly commenting on something they know nothing about). What a boring life they must lead with no karnival, no festi, no celebrations, no art, no music.
C. Azzopardi
Feb 8th 2010, 14:18
@B. Bonavia
Jidher bic car li ma taf x'jinvolvi biex issir karru tal karnival. dawn in nies li huma dedikati inaqsu lhin taghhom min mal familji biex jahdmu ghal karnival u dan kollox volontarju. ma nahsibx li hu fair li wiehed ma jkunx jaf l-affarjiet u naqbdu u nitfaw il kumenti bl-addocc.
Godwin Borg
Feb 8th 2010, 13:58
Please do not let so much talent go to waste. We have much to offer to the tourist trade. Our Carnival is unique especially were custumes are concerned. Give these Carnival float builders space were they can express and exercise their talent. May I suggest that part of the Malta Ship Building area be given to these artists utilising the big shed.
joss Galea
Feb 8th 2010, 13:55
I totally agree with N Callejja, and Jon Vercellono, the public transport can do exceptions during Carnival days, like they do in Notte Bianca and activities like that!
Jon Vercellono
Feb 8th 2010, 13:45
Speak to those people who work on the plans for the Festa of St Paul and the Good Friday Procession - they work the entire year - not all day everyday but all year yes. They would readily demonstrate that the planning does take an entire year and is the work of not one, not two but scores of people.
Brian Bonavia
Feb 8th 2010, 13:31
This carnival saga is all a front for these enthusiasts to have somewhere from where they could exercise their normal trades. I am not that gullible to believe that these enthusiaast work for the Carnival for the whole year, like say the fireworks enthusiasts. Nor do the latter work all year round. They just bundle their trade with the carnival. So to say to make ends meet.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 8th 2010, 13:12
@N. Calleja - and take the one bus to Attard and walk???? Or walk from the other bus stop a kilometre away - or pay extra for the express buses from Sliema or Buggiba? But a spontaneous carnival through all the towns whilst people were walking to Ta Qali might be very amusing indeed. N. Calleja - not being rude here, but only realistic. Valletta citizens where are your voices at?
L. Coleiro
Feb 8th 2010, 13:06
@ L. Cutajar
It is evident that you don't know what you are talking about.
Can you imagine Carnival being organized at Ta Qali at this time of the year? Would you take your children knowing that there is no kind of shelter?
Instead of investing in Carnival and exploiting its potential for touristic purposes our government clearly wants to downgrade it. After all Flimkien kollox possibli anke inkissru tradizjoni ohra li ilha snin twal imnaqqxa fl-identita kulturali ta pajjizna.
N.Calleja
Feb 8th 2010, 12:48
Although it may sound strange, how about holding the carnival defile at Ta Qali itself? There is surely much ample space for both floats and very spacious parking facilities. The organisers would not have any long distance from the proposed workshops!!
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 8th 2010, 12:46
The Carnival Floats in Malta are to my eyes very much equivalent to the various Fireworks displays, the Maltese are so famous for, even in Germany !! The artwork and skills involved in these spectacular shows are very respectfull indeed. Even the mechansims involved are in their own right very indigenous and very clever indeed.
May I be bold enough to maybe suggest, new ways of building these floats. Consider for example, Modular Construction. !! The Float is actually constructed in smaller assemblies in various garages around the island. These "Modules" are then transported to a final assembly point somewhere where space is available. I don't know, but maybe at the Marsa sports grounds, for example. The various "modules" are then assembled making up the whole float and finalised for transportation to its show destination.
Just a small humble contribution from myside here, nothing else. I think you all do a very good job indeed, keep it up and don't loose faith. Solutions are allways there somewhere, they just need to be discovered, with patience, creativity and above all "will power".
With my very best wishes.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 8th 2010, 12:31
If the location selected for the float builders were too far away for their liking - I would demand insurance compensation against accidents, weather, etc especially if they have to be transported miles to Valletta. There is far too much work involved in building the floats which while there are the few cultural neanderthals who dislike carnival and other associated popular historical cultural traditions - many appreciate the joy craftsmanship, beautiful decoration, and humour involved in the floats. Please don't take something which actually works and attracts people and wreck it.
moira spiteri
Feb 8th 2010, 12:22
and what about going to ta qali from valletta every day ( and night)?? usually after work? is that practicable? ta qali is too out of the way for people who work on floats all week!! carnival is NOT days but all year long, with plenty of sacrifices both from those work at it and their families!!
M.Buhagiar
Feb 8th 2010, 12:11
Year in Year out whenever Carnival approaches this issue always crops up . We`ve been hearing for years the Government promising here and there to the float-makers but NOTHING is done as usual. Maybe the Govt. will give them a place or send them a signed letter from the PM a week before the next election .
This is an example of what the PL leader means when he says that this country cannot remain in this mediocre state
Elaine Zammit
Feb 8th 2010, 11:34
Good idea... What about a place for the gozitan float builders?! Apart from not even having a place where to work their carnival floats they are not even given permission to place their floats in a government premises during the 5 days of carnival. There are alot of talented youths with passion to work for carnival but having no where to work and store the floats is not encouraging them!
I hope that something will be done for Gozo too. Happy Carnival
L. Cutajar
Feb 8th 2010, 11:24
Ta' Qali is a perfect location for workshops for carnival float builders. If the problem is the distance the defile could be moved to a locatio which is more near Ta' Qali. In valletta he space for this activity has now become very limited and is not capable to hold such an event. I agree that the location for float builders should be Ta' qali without a doubt.