Maltese Carnival

Malta is predominantly a Roman Catholic country and as a result the yearly calendar is generously scheduled with public holidays and festas (a feast, festival). A festa is the time of food, song, camaraderie ( a feeling of good friendship among the people in a group) and having fun, as most Christian celebrations are.

One of these religious festivals is Carnival which is held between February and March a huge Carnival is celebrated in Malta. It has an important place on the Maltese cultural calendar and has been celebrated since the 15^th century.

Originally, Catholics were not allowed to eat meat during the 40 days of Lent. Carnival was the tradition to hold a merriment celebration the day before Lenten days and got its name from the Latin "carne levare" , which means putting away the meat because of the Lent.

Carnival received a major boost after having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535, five years after the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta.

Carnival is held during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday. It’s a whole week of fun including colourful floats, fancy mask and dress competitions, marching bands and costumed revellers.

Up until 1751, carnival was held exclusively in Valletta and lasted for three days. Around 1752 the Carnival was extended to five days.

By time the Carnival popularity increased and more people participated in the event.

Nowadays you can find people celebrating Carnival in every corner of the islands but the largest of today’s Maltese Carnival celebrations are still held in the capital city of Valletta and its surroundings.

The Nadur Carnival in Gozo is very popular amongst younger generation as it is known for its darker themes.

The Valletta Carnival is usually opened with a light-hearted sword dance called Parata (re-enactment of the 1565 victory of the Knights over the Turks).

Traditional Carnival food includes perlini (multi-coloured, sugar-coated almonds) and the prinjolata (towering assembly of sponge cake, biscuits, almonds and citrus fruits, topped with cream and pine nuts).

Join the celebrations of this years Carnival, held in the cities of Valletta and Nadur from February 17^th – February 21^st 2012. Have some fun and experience Maltese festa.