Carnival 2011 risks being just a shadow of the usual activities unless the government finds float builders an alternative place where to construct their floats by June and this depends on a meeting with Tourism and Culture Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco soon.
"We do want to hold carnival but we don't know where to build our floats," Jason Busuttil, chairman of the Għaqda Parteċipanti Karnival, said. The carnival organisers have been called to vacate the large stores in Luqa but have not been given an acceptable alternative.
Although the government offered them an alternative site at Ta' Qali, they have turned this down, mainly because it is too far away from Valletta.
The summer months are crucial because they need the hot weather to get the papier-mâché to dry. Mr Busuttil explained it would be impossible to start in one place and then have to move everything elsewhere.
A lot will ride on a meeting they expect to have with Dr de Marco, who was given the responsibility for culture in last week's Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Busuttil sounded cautiously optimistic that a solution will be found.
When contacted, Dr de Marco confirmed he would be meeting carnival organisers and said he was committed to finding a solution. "We will be doing our best to find a solution. We want to be able to sustain carnival," he said.
The carnival organisers had already suggested the old Soldini factory in Marsa but the authorities disagreed. They now have their eyes on another former factory, close to Malta Shipbuilding, Mr Busuttil said.
"It would house us all under one roof and there is even place for a carnival museum and a small cafeteria, which should attract tourists," he said.
Oblivious to the concerns plaguing the organisers, thousands of people thronged Valletta yesterday, soaking the sunshine and admiring the more hilarious floats and costumes.
One man dressed up as a roadside pot plant and another had covered himself from head to toe in different types of belts. Another tied himself - or was tied - to a bench.
The dancers in front of one of the floats were dressed up as old carts, street lights and window shutters.
Little ladybirds, princesses, Spanish dancers, pirates and a ninja warrior roamed the streets. But the excitement was all too much for one little prince who fell asleep in his pushchair.
And carnival was also an excuse for some men to bare their midriffs and put on makeup while girls rolled up their skirts and pulled their hair up in pig tails.
A large number of tourists enjoyed the sunny weather, sitting on the steps of Castille and St John's Co. Cathedral to watch the passing floats and their accompanying dancers. For British tourist Carol Bennett, this was her sixth carnival in Malta; she always plans her trip to coincide with the annual event.
One tourist covered his ears as he walked next to one of the floats.
Carnival festivities continue today when the carnival band and children's dance groups parade through Valletta. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from Republic Street, going through Melita Street, Merchants Street, St Lucy Street and ending at City Gate.
The defilé will kick off at 5 p.m. with the King Carnival float leading the way followed by grotesque masks, a band and a number of dance companies. The dance competition will start at Freedom Square at 5.30 p.m.
Carnival ends tomorrow with a grand finale in St Anne Street in Floriana.