Premature end to Carnival

S Saliba

Feb 22nd, 23:03

I do belive that carnival should stay where it is mow in Feb, cause that's the meaning of carnival. The only way if we want this historical activity to wake up again, and stay alive, is simple, the government need to keep there promises and build these shelters and instead of celebrating carnival only for 5 days it will be over two weekend so at least if it's raining, they can be sheltered and used again in the next. Like that we will at least be appreciating the creativity and passion that these people have.

S Saliba

Feb 22nd, 16:36

I do belive that carnival should stay where it is mow in Feb, cause that's the meaning of carnival. The only way if we want this historical activity to wake up again, and stay alive, is simple, the government need to keep there promises and build these shelters and instead of celebrating carnival only for 5 days it will be over two weekend so at least if it's raining, they can be sheltered and used again in the next. Like that we will at least be appreciating the creativity and passion that these people have.

Joe Xuereb

Feb 22nd, 11:34

Shame about the weather but what can one do?
Was it not Mintoff who brought Carnival forward to May so that the working-class could have a more assured fun-time. This because working-class people did not have much opportunity for fun subject as they were to the privileged class? And Mintoff was the man for the working-class no?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival

Mr C Busuttil

Feb 21st, 20:45

@ those who want Carnival in May

1)You must remember what carnival was when it used to be held in May, it was dying at a faster rate than it is now. It was given a new temporary lease of life when it was brought back to February.

2)Every country that has carnival holds it in winter and if we will have in May, indeed, we will be a complete carnival of a country.

3)The truth is that carnival is dying not because it is being held in february but because the number of volunteers is on the decline. To pass a whole year to built a float (whatever the weather in carnival) that has to be destroyed is senseless. In the past people had nothing to do and making these floats was a manner to kill boredom, now its not.

4)People don't need carnival anymore as a focal point to have fun.

5)A very important factor in the decline of carnival, is that every year it is much of the same, the same music, same dancing (pass l'hemm u pass l'hawn dwara u nergghu) and even the floats always a big face of an Red indian sometimes an Octopus/greek god etc. In few words it lacks imagination.

6)Even if you are willingly to take part you find that its always the same groups, the ones that hold a monopoly that win, even when they don't deserve it!!!!!!!!!

7) If Carnival is held in May nowadays it has to compete with other activities that are much more popular such as the fireworks festival, local festas, concerts etc etc, Therefore it has much to lose and will attract less people. Besides it will be too hot to wear certain costumes

8) Carnival organizers must understand that Valletta and Floriana are no more the ideal place to have these activities, besides causing inconvenience to a large number of people due to traffic deviation it would be wiser if they accept an alternative venue. However because of their hard headness they will not even consider the idea.

9) The fact that winter might ruin their preparations and work, does indeed not hold water, In Cospicua they have their Feast in December, St. Paul is held in February and St. Joseph in Rabat is held in March. None of these localties even take in consideration holding their feast in May, even if on some occasions they had to be cancelled. Its part of the game otherwise don't take part.

10)The government should not step in to help, otherwise all other groups from band clubs, fireworks groups, football clubs etc etc will be entitled to ask for assistance and quite rightly since they generate in much larger economic and commercial activity. Either you accept the calendar or otherwise face the reality that Carnival is dying naturally and not because of the weather.

O Farrugia

Feb 21st, 18:50

What a shame seeing these works outside in this weather! I agree with Mr S Saliba that no one in government has YET found the time to live to the fact that they moved Carnival to February.... We all know why Carnival was moved back to February from May! I always been to Carnival in May as a kid, and now with my kids it's a completely different story! But for me Carnival is a Maltese tradition just as much as "Figolli".... If one has to be so religious, then for money to go to waste like this is surely a big sin! Plus the efforts of creation, ideas and art are not being appreciated as they should.... which is even worse! Carnival is part of our culture and it will be difficult to obliterate, after all, what is Carnival without the FLOATS? Yet it is clear to me that this government is failing to keep this Maltese tradition alive.... And I just wonder what our children will remember... The power of mother nature, the connection to religion or the failing logic and lack of common sense of the people in power?

O. Grixti

Feb 21st, 18:44

Make it in Summer - Fullstop !

kurt attard

Feb 21st, 18:40

il karnival spontanju go hal ghaxaq xorta ma thassarx

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Feb 21st, 18:32

Pity after all the dedication of the Float makers and the beautiful costumes. Well todays weather has been forcasted for over a month - A view at Hour by Hours weather Forcast for Valletta Malta was giving todays weather. - A few comments about this years Carnival. With regard to Floats fantastic and beautiful. Costumes fantastic and colorful. With regard t o the Enclosure-Graneries Floriana - a disaster and not a good venue for a February carnival. - For all those who love Carnival why not put up a TENT as is being done for many other activities. With all the money spentif a few more Euros are spent for this covered enclosure at least activities such as the Dance competions and Grotesque Masks and small items can all the same take place even if it is a rainy day like today and the Marry making would have gone on. Also many commented that taking Carnival activites out of Valletta has not been a good idea although minimal activities did take place in Valletta a prove that Valletta is the place for Carnival.

S Saliba

Feb 21st, 17:02

This all come down to the promises not kept from the government. It's been more then 10years that they've promised good and new build shelters for the floats but till today never happened. For another year they are saying that now the warehouses are on plan and there location is going to be in Coradino. I ask my self what will the participants benefit from that. Lets not go far ex. Today!!!!!! What will be the use of the shelters being placed on the other side of the island? My conclusion is simply participants should be brave enough and say "before we get these warehouses close enough to the location where the parade will take place we will not give the satisfaction of building floats. And then we will see what will be the reply from the government. Shame on the minister of culture.

Thomas Vella

Feb 21st, 16:41

Karnival sena shiha go dan il pajjiz !!
Ibda mil parlament u it toroq li amlulna, vera forsi qed jirrangaw 4 minnhom imma kem tahsbu li ha jdumu ?
Qumu minn hemm poplu ejja, rridu niehdu dak li haqqna mux jalqulna halqna bit tape

Karl Consiglio

Feb 21st, 16:34

Heqq sinjal iehor li l-Karnival ma ghogbux il-Bambin din is-sena

Ms maria bonnici

Feb 21st, 15:39

if it is true as i have heard in Nadur carnival, dead animals like rats., goats heads, and things like these, THEN IT SHOULD BE BANNED TO EVER TAKE PLACE

Sue De Nym

Feb 21st, 15:26

Il carnevale......finisce male.... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpEonaUKRro

Mr Lawrence Calleja

Feb 21st, 15:18

Carnival Village should be held in Ta' Qali and not Floriana or Valletta. A tent such as that of the MFCC cold be used for carnival floats to pass through. It is that simple.

S.M. Cuschieri

Feb 21st, 15:10

It was a tough winter all over europe though this year. I remember it very well in May. That was a lot better.

David Hill

Feb 21st, 15:08

It's a pity that there can't be a Summer carnival as well as the traditional one.
When I was young all the towns along the South Coast of England had their carnival day, and floats went from one to another to take part in the Carnival Prade.

Ms Margaret Williams

Feb 21st, 14:57

Thank God for That, maybe we can have a bit of peace here in Nadur. and perhaps cleaner streets with all the rubbish the Maltese left behind them mostly empty beer bottles and paper bags.
Another British whinger.

Victor Pulis

Feb 21st, 14:44

Ma nressqu xejn. Sempliciment naghmlu l-karrijiet waterproof!!!

Steven Cutajar

Feb 21st, 14:41

To all those that would want to move the Carnival to another date:

Why not move Christmas to August maybe? It never snows in Malta so who cares?....

Why not move New Year to July maybe? Many more couples get to stay together during this time...

and whilst here - Why not move the whole festive calendar to summer in general so we can all "nibazzjaw"..

What a joke of comments. "Carne Vale" means what is means I guess. Sympathy goes to all those that put many work in it, but no one prevails on Mother Nature.

william cauchi

Feb 21st, 14:37

Somebody said carnival can only held because of lent.... tradition.... etc.

So many traditions have changed and the world has moved on. If limbo is now dead and forgotten why not carnival before lent. Even we couldn't eat meat every Friday, now we can. So........

I only pity the hard work done by these enthusiasts and see their art destroyed by the weather. And this happens practically every year.

Ok carnival could pull in some tourists in the middle of winter but really how many come over just for the carnival.
We ain't Rio after all.

Time to think again.

John Scerri

Feb 21st, 14:24

Pity...So much dedication, time and effort. Real Pity.
Poor Fellows..

Just the same... ALL of you deserve the peoples' appreciation and admiration for a great job in keep this tradition alive on our little island .
Very well done to all .

Joseph Fenech

Feb 21st, 13:56

Ghalija kollu hela ta' flus,ghax kuljum karnival go dan il-pajjiz.!!

Mr Edwin Vella

Feb 21st, 13:49

Is that the carnival village? ART DESERVES BETTER.

Lindsey Brincau

Feb 21st, 13:24

Ikun hafna isbah kieku jsir f'temp sajfi u ikun hafna ahjar ghal dawk kollha li jahdmu fih! sfortunatament ma tantx jista jiccaqlaq wisq il karnival ghax imsemmi mieghu ... ''carne vale'' ... il festa ta qabel jibda ir randan.

George Abdilla

Feb 21st, 13:23

Xaxa Carnival is celebrated beform lent! its a 500 year old tradition. in May, if one wants,one could have the May flower wars, and so on

Mr Lawrence Calleja

Feb 21st, 13:17

Even the dancing programme at the carnival arna aon the Graneries Floriana has been cancelled.

Saviour Sam Agius

Feb 21st, 13:16

Hawn min irid irressqu. Flok inressquh aħjar nagħmlu tnejn. Wieħed issa u ieħor fis-sajf. Mhux aħjar? Buġibba diġà bdew jorganizzaw wieħed fis-sajf. Kulma jonqos huwa aktar irħula jidħlulha.

Ms Maria Vella

Feb 21st, 13:01

Whilst I can understand the frustration of all those involved in Carnival, I don't see why we should move it. How do other countries cope?

Mr Lawrence Calleja

Feb 21st, 12:45

I heard that carnival activities at St Anne street Floriana have been officially cancelled due to rain for today Tuesday 21/2/2012. However this dpes not matter as we still managed to celebrate carnival for four whole days and I think that Carnival should continue to be held during the month of February.

Josette Formosa

Feb 21st, 12:26

Veru,fis-sajf ahjar.

Mr Edwin Vella

Feb 21st, 12:21

Carnival should be diverted to May. I took part in a float in the 70's named Scrooge Jaqleb Decimali MAY 1974 just before Malta turned decimal, with the Naxxar Technical School. That was when all the art class together with the art teachers Paul Haber and Mr. Preca used to put a lot of effort to be enjoyed by both locals and tourists in the begining of May where the weather permits. ART DESERVES BETTER.

Robert Chetcuti

Feb 21st, 12:18

the carnival floats will surely float at this rate :)

Jokes apart, my sympathies to the participants who work hard throughout the year, only to have the rain spoil their fun.

i think carnival should be moved to May

Mr Peter Barbara

Feb 21st, 12:13

Ahna biss inressquh lura, meta id-dinja kollu taghmlu dan iz-zmien ? Kieku kont il-Kanada, il-Germanja l-Italja u l-bqija l-ohra tad-dinja f'temperaturi ferm iktar kiesha u xitwija minn taghna x'taghmel mela

Ms Xaxa Caruana

Feb 21st, 12:02

Ressqu il karnival lura f mejju kif kien qabel, lanqas haqq ix-xoghol li jiehdu dan nies.