Maltese carnival traditions By Clara Warr, Nadya Stoyanova, Lisa Vella Gobey, Kim Sammut and David Grech

About Carnival The name Carnival originates from the Italian phrase ‘Carne vale’, which means ‘meat is allowed’ due to the fact that during the forty days of lent, meat consumption was not permitted in the Roman Catholic religion. This is why carnival is celebrated before the austerity of Lent. Historically in Malta, this entertainment can be traced back to the early 1400s where we find the Universita’ issuing directives about the selling price of meat during carnival. The yearly carnival activities that are held in Valletta over a period of four days are done by 'The Malta Council for Culture and the Art" to celebrate their Maltese folklore and have ample activities like satirical forms of public rituals with massive public participation. Between 1972 and 1987 Carnival was held in May.

Other types Carnival in Gozo is a separately organised edition of the festivity. These festivities were first officially organised in Gozo in the year 1952. The main activities take place in It-Tokk, the main square in Gozo’s capital Victoria, and in Nadur square. The Gozitan Carnival, in my opinion, is more raw and grotesque in its own way. One big difference are the costumes Gozo is know for having pretty crazy costumes.

Costumes- Gozo

Carnival costumes from around the world are very big and extravagant. Designs are inspired by different cultures.

The costumes from different carnivals have similar characteristics but have different styles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3ewl7OxOs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS889A85Jtk

Carnival floats - Process The model is formed with metal, the welders join the metals together to form the float. Some parts are formed with wood. Wires are passed inside the float and LEDs are fixed outside onto the float so they can light it up during the parade.

The metal form is then pasted with ‘karta kanella ta’ l-ixkejjer’, newspapers and white in the colours. The float is painted all white with water paint, then sprayed and airbrush is used to put in the colours.

Faces are formed with clay so as to enable them to be molded Faces are formed with clay so as to enable them to be molded. The characters are individually put on a pole and fixed onto the float.

Parts of the float can move: the hands seen in this float which open and close. Takes around 9 months to complete. The theme and work has to be original every year.

Section A- Company: “Tonio Carnival Group Smart Light” ‘Sejjahli Cittadin’. It is about Maltese people and politics. The aeroplane symoblises the money that the political people took from Malta to invest abroad, the famous ‘Panama’ case. Salvu Mallia is the character dressed up as camaletone to show that first he supported one political party and then he changed his mind and started supporting another party.

Figure at front: Maltese ‘ Nanna’

Section B ‘Gahan’

The 4 chicks symbolize the four seasons which are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Maltese fruit like apples, aubergines, grapes and prickly pears. The figures of Norman Lowell and the feasts symbolize the life of Maltese people who are obsessed with politics and feasts.

Zebbug carnival

Section A Sketch

Costumes

Valletta

History of Maltese carnivals Carnival parades in 1929 where for many of the complex floats where designed to make fun of political figures. Carnival 2014: return of number of elements; not included in previous history. In 1962 some of the small floats used to be carried by horses, less colourful and less detailed, not as large as they are now.

Foreign carnivals - Rio Street parades became powerful with appearance of samba schools, afterwards needed to build a stadium. Samba- gave the chance to show their talents. Choosing a theme and composing a song- giving a reflective meaning. Street parties start weeks before the carnival and represented by loud music.

Rio costumes- elements Carnival costumes- made of various elements such as feathers, grass , bones.

Formal elements The floats all have different shapes and forms with every piece being unique. The colours they have give a happy and joyful feel making the event more fun for the people enjoying themselves. Also giving them a bright tone. Textures: hard from the wood and metal, and pasted newspapers making all the floats stiff yet still look formed. Patterns: various styles on each of the floats are used , each one being unique.

Carnival floats malta Rio brazil

Carnival floats

rio

Carnival floats matla england

Malta Usa

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