No arrests in Nadur Carnival over offensive costumes

Revellers celebrating carnival in Nadur this weekend must have taken note of last year's controversy and no arrests were made over costumes that could be considered offensive.

A group of young people who paraded through the streets of Nadur last year wearing costumes of a religious nature were arraigned a few days later and accused of offending public morals.

Over the past days, some did urge revellers through a social networking site to dress up in costumes of a religious nature in protest at what happened last year but to no avail. At a glance, a few could have appeared to have accepted to do so but a closer look would reveal that they had actually donned costumes dating back to biblical times.

Young men dressed up as women still seemed to be the most fashionable at the Nadur carnival. Three such revellers claimed on Saturday night that the police had taken down their particulars and told them that they would be arraigned for wearing clothes that exposed their private parts. This, however, did not seem to dampen their spirits or ruin their night because they were later seen enthusiastically dancing away to the music.

The police, whose presence was stronger than last year but generally discreet, were also seen confiscating two toy pistols.

A police spokesman said that, on the whole, there had been nothing serious to report on the night. The police only intervened to break up minor scuffles and had received reports from neighbours complaining about loud music.

No arrests were made in connection with offensive costumes, the spokesman said.

In a clinic situated beside the police station, medical volunteers hectically worked around the clock to treat those who had hurt themselves in one way or another or were worryingly drunk.

On the whole, as in past years, the celebrations remained somewhat spontaneous as fresh fish were flung off a small float and young men dressed as workmen leapt off another to tile the street.

Some revellers, however, did remark that the congregation was larger in previous years.

A couple of costumes also caught the eyes of passersby, including a speed camera and a smart metre.