Carnival kicked off in earnest in Valletta yesterday but the windy weather, expected to continue throughout the carnival week, has had float-makers throwing anxious looks at their prized creations.
The Cicco Carnival Company, creators of one of two political satire offerings in this year’s event, said their float had already sustained some damage while it was being brought into the city ahead of yesterday’s parade.
Other groups, particularly those whose floats were stored in Floriana, were largely sheltered from the winds of the past few days, but with even stronger gusts forecast for today and tomorrow, the risk remains present.
“There’s always precautions you have to take because of the weather, particularly the rain,” said Holger Camilleri from the Cicco company.
“In the past we’ve had to cover the float with plastic bags to protect the electronics. In the case of today’s wind, the problem was that it was quite unexpected – but it’s all part of the game.”
Calls to shift carnival to warmer months to avoid the risk of inclement weather have been sounded periodically in the past, with a number of previous editions having been cancelled or cut short due to storms or rain.
The carnival programme, which began on Thursday, continues today with a children’s carnival in the morning, followed by parades in the afternoon. Later in the day, a defilé will take place, followed by colourful floats, dances and traditional maskaruni, large colourful masks and costumes made out of papier-mâché.
Organisers have said competition among the floats is this year stronger than ever, with a number of float-makers incorporating lights to make their floats luminous. Political satire is also back again following its reintroduction four years ago.
The Cicco float will feature a Popeye theme with political leaders, Żaren ta’ l-Ajkla, Claudette Buttigieg, and the proverbial ‘par idejn sodi’ (safe pair of hands) all featuring in one form or another.
Tomorrow and Monday, floats and colourful costumes will flood the Valletta streets once again, before the carnival festivities come to a close on Tuesday with the final defilé.
This year’s festivities will also feature events outside Valletta, in particular a band parade down Ħamrun’s Main Street tomorrow morning. The parade will feature a number of floats including King Carnival, as well as bands, satiric grotesque masks and dance companies.