In his letter Don't Blame The Gozitans (March 4) Shawn Meilak seems to fail to understand that the Nadur carnival is such a hit precisely because it's not a "normal' plain old fashioned maskerata. The Nadur carnival has become such a hit precisely due to the fact that it's in such sheer bad taste.

To me it appears very symbolic that the event takes place mostly in the street behind the church giving it its back; it's a sign of indifference. It's what one could call a black carnival or celebration with a darker, more care-free, anything-goes theme to it, and that's what people love about it. It's much more intriguing and exciting, that way people want to play a part in it or at least witness it - it's rather crazy and that's what makes it special.

By comparison the Valletta carnival looks too controlled, commercialised and boring, regardless of the colourful floats and all the work involved in making them.

So nobody is blaming the Gozitans, far from it. With this carnival on their lap, we believe they rock (no pun intended), so it should not be ruined. Let's not let all-year round religious fanaticism quash the entire concept of this once-a-year attraction which has impressively become so popular, mostly by word of mouth.