Gozo carnival will kick off on Friday and continue with a full programme of activities up to February 16.
On Friday at 10 a.m. there will be the 'Carnival of Children for Children' with the participation of companies from local dance schools at St Augustine's Square, Victoria, starting with a parade from St Francis Square. At 7 p.m. there will be a spectacle at St Augustine Square with the participation of dance companies, music groups, grotesque masks and traditional floats.
A 'Black and White' carnival fancy dress party will be held at the Circolo Gozitano, Victoria, on Friday at 8.30 p.m. Music will be provided by Magical Manuel. Tickets at €10 can be obtained from committee members, by calling 9945 6851 or 2155 0878 or by e-mailing circologozitano@gmail. com. Price includes a welcome carnival cocktail and finger food. A prize will be awarded for the best costume.
A defile with the participation of dance school companies will start from St Francis Square on Saturday at 10 a.m. A children's carnival will be held at Independence Square, Victoria, at 10 a.m.
La Notte in Maschera, a carnival night with a variety of activities for all the family by the Victoria council, will be held in Victoria at 7.30 p.m. Activities will include youth bands, Big Band Brothers, Island Brass Ensemble, street theatre, preacher's corner, ballroom dancing, costumes competitions, photography competition, traditional food and music and carnival floats.
A grand defile will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. followed by dancing competitions at Independence Square. Tickets costing €5 can be obtained from the Banca Giuratale tomorrow.
Another grand defile and dancing competitions will be held on February 16 followed by a grand finale at Independence Square.
Nadur
Activities in Nadur started yesterday with the Miss Queen Carnival 2010 at the MBC Theatre. The activity was organised by the Mnarja Band Club in collaboration with the Nadur council.
Other activities to be held today at St Peter and St Paul Square will include Il-Kumittiva, with the participation of Miss Queen Carnival (Malta) and Miss Queen Carnival (Desborough, UK), dance groups, the Mnarja band, Big Friends Guggenmusik 2008, groups in carnival costume, folk groups, floats and Il-Kukkanja.
A spontaneous carnival will be held on carnival days, reaching its climax on Saturday when hundreds of Maltese will cross over to Gozo for this traditional event, which brings out satire and humour through improvised costumes.
Xagħra
Carnival in Xagħra will be held between Friday and Sunday. A folklore carnival will take place at Victory Square on Friday from 7 p.m. with the participation of Gozitan folk groups including Ta' Sinat Folk Group (Sannat), Ta' Ciangura Folk Group (San Lawrenz), Menhir Folk Group (Qala) and Xagħra Folk Group. Il-Kukkanja and Kumittiva will also be featured.
The children's carnival will take place at Nazzarenu Square on Saturday at 7.30 p.m.
The last spectacle will be held on Sunday at 10 a.m. The programme starts from in front of Ta' Kola Windmill with the traditional Kumittiva dance and continues with festive band marches by the Victory Philharmonic Society of Xagħra. The programme will continue at Victory Square at 11.30 a.m. and will include dancing by companies and carnival floats. The prinjolata (carnival sweet) will be given free to the public.
Xewkija
The festivities in Xewkija will start with a traditional carnival dinner with the participation of Zoo at Xewkija primary school on Thursday at 7.30 p.m. On Friday there will be a carnival evening in front of the Xewkija parish centre at 6.30 p.m. A best costume competition will be held. Majorettes from Slovakia will entertain people at San Ġwann Battista square on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Other entertainment will be provided by dancing companies and grotesque masks and floats. A defile accompanied by the Precursor Band will be held on Sunday at 10 a.m. followed by Il-Kukkanja. The Kummittiva will be held on February 15 at San Ġwann Battista square at 7.30 p.m.
A spontaneous carnival will be held daily from Friday until February 16 from 8 p.m.