Carnival in Malta has its origins dating back to probably the early 14th century. It was originally a pagan feast celebrating the coming of spring and, most probably, evolved from the ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Bacchanalia. With the rise of Christianity it was transformed into a wild, pseudo-religious festival celebrating the beginning of Lent marked by fasting. Therefore, all the rich foods such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar had to be consumed and, hence, the origins of the word carnival – from the Italian “carne levare”.

The Knights’ arrival in 1530 played a key role in its rising popularity. Since then, it has become very popular entertainment for many and an obsession with the few carnival artists, who are fast disappearing!

For the past few decades, carnival activities, especially in Valletta, have suffered a serious decline. This is not only the unfortunate result of its decreasing population. This unfortunate trend is also due to other several important factors, a few of which I shall list below.

Over the years, the number of carnival companies participating has progressively declined from the early years where over 100 carnival floats were exhibited in several categories to the present day, counting fewer than 20 floats. A stroll to St Elmo and a chat over coffee with several carnival artists revealed the following huge problems encountered by them:

1. The workshops are medieval and the working conditions are abysmal; an alternative place has been allocated in Marsa but most of the carnival enthusiasts are unhappy with this forced move.

2. Red tape and bureaucracy are abundant, tying down all the participants with countless ridiculous regulations, which are then only enforced at random, with the end result being alienating many possible participants.

3. The very late publication of applications to participate in the carnival – sometimes being published just four months prior to the event ­– and then having to wait for up to four weeks to know whether your application has been accepted or, as also happens in certain cases, rejected, is, of course, so very discouraging.

4. Carnival is being slowly and very surely banned from the streets of the capital, Valletta, with dance companies being relegated to the Granaries in Floriana and not being allowed to exhibit their routine in the only remaining square: St George’s Square.

5. The exorbitant prices (€15-€30) being charged to view the dance companies are resulting in most of the tickets not being sold.

6. Most importantly, is there a committee working hard (if at all) to preserve this natural heritage that can be passed on to future generations?

All of these important factors have to be honestly answered and, hopefully, a new carnival committee will dedicate itself to resolving these issues.

I believe that carnival should be liberated from most of the red tape suffocating it and anyone who wishes to participate should be allowed to do so – it is a carnival after all!

And King Carnival should be allowed to rule Valletta for the few days before Lent, possibly for two weekends, one weekend hopefully being a dry one!