Carnival presents the opportunity for countless back-to-back events in most Maltese towns and villages, for young, old, and young at heart. Yet the focus always remains on the capital city, home to King Carnival.

For those who are seemingly at a loss of what, where and when of the different happenings, the following is a detailed schedule of events and activities running the course of this long, and much-celebrated weekend.

Tonight: Assembly of dance companies Merchant Street followed by a street parade show composed of the King Carnival float, masks, band etc at 4.30 p.m.; Street parade along Merchant Street, St John Street and Republic Street at 5 p.m.; Dance competition and small defilé at Freedom Square, Valletta between 6 and 8 p.m.

Tomorrow: Children’s dance programme and defilé in Freedom Square starts at 10 a.m. followed by a defilé from City Gate with the participation of King Carnival float, isolated masks, and decorated vehicles. After enclosure, defilé will proceed along Republic Street, St John Street and up to Merchant Street; Carnival band show in Valletta at 4 p.m.; triumphal floats will start proceeding from the Bus Terminus to Valletta. Grotesque masks will take part in the Valletta defilé at 5 p.m.; dancing programme competition at Freedom Square. Participation of masks, isolated masks and decorative vehicles and floats in Valletta between 5.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. All carnival items and triumphal floats will proceed to St Anne Street, Floriana for the late night defilé and night carnival which will also include the Kukkanja, near Vilhena monument and other activities such as games, and live band gigs. Events start at 6.30 p.m.

Sunday: Defilé starts at 12.30 p.m. from the Granaries, Floriana and proceeds to Castille Place, Merchant Street, St John Street, Republic Street, Freedom Square and finally St James Ditch; Grand carnival show at Freedom Square, which includes the grand defilé at 2 p.m.

Monday: Carnival band parade with the participation children’s dance groups in costume. Band parade will circulate Republic Street, Melita Street, Merchants Street, St Lucy Street, up to City Gate; Street parade along Merchant Street, St John Street and Republic Street composed of King Carnival float, masks, band, and all dance companies with their respective floats at 5 p.m.; Dance competition at Freedom Square at 5.30 p.m.

Tuesday: Carnival band parade with the participation of a carnival band and children’s dance groups in costume. Band parade will circulate Republic Street, Melita Street, Merchant Street, St Lucy Street, up to City Gate at 10 a.m. Defilé of triumphal floats and decorated vehicles in Valletta at 3.30 p.m.; Carnival show including the grand defilé at 5 p.m.; Grand finale at St Anne’s Street, Floriana at 6.15 p.m.

■ For events in other towns/villages, see carnival section below.

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Visual Arts

February 15-28

A collective multimedia exhibition shall be held at 43, Lascaris Wharf, Valletta Waterfront. Open Monday to Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Till February 21

ERDF Ġgantija Design Contest

The proposals submitted for the Ġgantija Design Contest are currently on show at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta. Open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. (Last admission at 4 p.m.)

Till February 27

Silver Palette Competition and Exhibition

Organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the works will be on show at Palazzo de La Salle, Republic Street, Valletta. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 4 and 7 p.m.; Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon.

Till February 28

An exhibition of paintings by Julianne Grima is showing at the Mdina Gallery, Triq Santa Sofia, Mdina.

Till February 28

Confluenze Mediterranee: Arte e Conflitti

Pietro Loffredo focuses mainly on the role of fortune in the fate of the marginalised individual and the collective. Showing at the main hall of St James Cavalier, Valletta.

Till March 5

Ideal and Sublime

An exhibition of paintings by Joseph Muscat and Leslie S. Agius is showing at Palazzo Castellania, 15 Merchants Street, Valletta. The exhibition is open between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Till March 14

Upon Arrival: Spatial Exploration

This exhibition by Austrian artists investigates architectural and social spaces. Curated by Margit Neuhold, works by Veronika Hauer, Nikola Hansalik, Nicole Six and Paul Petritsch, Andreas Heller, Sabine Bitter and Helmut Weber, Michael Gumhold and Gerald Straub. Showing at the upper galleries, St James Cavalier, Valletta.

Till March 31

Cosmic Art

An exhibition of works by artists Lilika Papanicolaou and “Turo” Arthur Rizzo is currently showing at Assaggi Restaurant, Qaliet Street, St Julians.

Performing Arts

Today, tomorrow, Sunday

February 19-21

Are You Being Served?

A British comedy which was originally a 1970s’ BBC sitcom produced by FM Productions. Showing at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, at 8 p.m.


Music/Concerts

February 13

Met Opera Season

Presenting the encore performance of Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi. The Metropolitan Opera’s Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series live in high definition with English subtitles. Showing at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Doors open 6.30 p.m., curtain up at 7 p.m.

February 16

Chamber Music Concert

This duo concert by Natasha Chircop and Marco Rivoltini will feature music by Gershwin, Hindemith, Ravel and Stravinsky. At the Manoel Theatre, Valletta at 8 p.m.

February 17

Performers’ Platform Concert Series

Featuring Angelo Borg on the saxophone alto. Programme includes works by Glazunov, J S Bach and Rueff. The event takes place at the St James Cavalier’s music room at 12.35 p.m.

Talks, tours and other

Sunday

Malta at War: Heritage trail

This guided tour will visit the War Shelters and the National War Museum. Pre-booking is essential. Organised by Heritage Malta the event will take place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sunday

Alarme

This military re-enactment portrays the historic and turbulent tenure of Malta by the French troops, following Napoleon’s landing and conquest of Malta (1798-1800). The story recounts the landing of the French troops, the subsequent administration of the Maltese islands by the new Republican government, the rebellion of the Maltese that led to the blockade of the French troops inside the harbour towns, the surrender of the French troops at the hands of the British. The event will take place at Fort St Elmo at 11 a.m.


Carnival

Today

Carnival activity

Band March by the Victory Philharmonic Society starting from Maria Bambina Street proceeding to Victory Square, where a carnival programme is being held. The programme includes carnival dances, grand defile of carnival floats and the traditional dance Il-Kumittiva. The event is organised by the Xagħra local council, activities start at 6.30 p.m.

Today, till February 16

Malta Carnival

Carnival events will be taking place in various towns and villages in Malta and Gozo. For further information contact Anton Miceli on 2123 2515 or 21245 168.

Sunday

Variety Programme

Organised by the Marsascala local council. A Carnival defilé will be held with the participation of the local band, including dance companies and a costume competition at St Anne Garden and along Marina Street. Events start at 9 a.m.

February 16

Closing Carnival Programme

The event includes carnival dances and other related activities. The winners of the carnival competitions will be announced. The event is organised by Xagħa local council and kicks off at 6.30 p.m.


Useful contacts

St James Cavalier

Tel.: 2122 32000

E-mail: info@sjcav.org

www.sjcav.org

Manoel Theatre

Tel: 2124 6389

E-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt

www.manoeltheatre.com.mt

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