Local cultural organisation Soundscapes was invited by the Breza Association in Croatia to present a workshop during the children’s festival, World Without Borders, held in the city of Osijek.

The workshop, which was co-ordinated by composer Ruben Zahra, involved the construction of an eight-foot sculpture, depicting the festival’s mascot-character Zubo. This was created using the papier-mâché technique of Maltese carnival floats.

Zahra worked with carnival artisan Brian Bonnici and his apprentice Cain Spiteri. Although the process in Malta typically takes a couple of weeks, the challenge was met, with Bonnici coming up with alternative methods that facilitated the process of construction and made it more child-friendly.

“I am highly committed to presenting Malta’s cultural heritage on an international platform. For most Maltese, carnival floats are quite a commonplace festive feature but the tradition can have quite an impact in another country that has no reference to carnival floats,” Zahra said.

The workshop was attended by some 30 children, all getting involved at every stage of the process and working on everything from constructing the wooden framework to shaping the contours in wire, layering the papier-mâché and painting the sculpture in vibrant colours.

“ It was a very rewarding process because in just four days, basic raw materials, like paper, glue and chicken wire came together to create a large sculpture piece.”

The Zubo carnival float was one of the highlights of the festival, paraded around the streets to escort the mayor and other Osijek dignitaries. Besides the float, another group of 16 children worked with Zahra on the Parata, the traditional, Maltese sword dance, which was performed by the children of Osijek during the festival.

Zahra, Bonnici and Spiteri have already been invited to conduct the same workshop during next year’s festival.