Carnival in Malta

The Karnival ta’ Malta is one of the oldest historical festivals in Malta, with just under five centuries of credited and documented history dating back to the Knight’s of St John’s occupancy in Malta. New artistic creations are born while traditions are kept alive and revived, particularly with the revival of satire, a fundamental facet to the historical Maltese Karnival.

It is a festival that gels the community together, with a non-discriminatory participation of all from differing ages and social backgrounds. Il-Karnival ta’ Malta is one of the world’s unique carnivals whereby a celebration of artistic floats, dances and elaborate costumes are entwined with the grotesque and satire, making the genre exclusively a ‘maltese carnivalesque’.

This one-of-a-kind modern take on the historical festival has provided a platform for artists to showcase their creations for the past 91 years. It brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate Il-Karnival ta’ Malta. Spreading over six days, the festival is celebrated across the island with the main activities happening in Valletta, such as educational hands-on workshops which boost the common knowledge of Carnival within the Maltese community. It is a historical, traditional event organised within a spontaneous space that is either choreographed or improvised interactive theatricality.

Il-Karnival ta’ Malta has always been committed to showcase and promote art and craftsmanship among Carnival participants and audiences. Il-Karnival ta’ Malta provides a platform for artists and producers who work on floats, grotesque masks, costumes, designs and choreographic creations. It also assists emerging artists who would like to integrate within the Carnival community enhancing social awareness and participation encouraging the younger generation. Another aim of Carnival is to promote a healthy collaborative festival where Carnival participants can share experiences in unified spaces around the city and beyond such villages and on the sister island of Gozo. This interdisciplinary festival brings together artistic works that cohesively and unilaterally educate audiences on same grounds, spaces and spheres, through a unique experience.

Another important aim for this historical festival is to diversify and be all-inclusive thus giving the possibility to reach and attract new audiences, including those who have never experienced the colourful world of Carnival. Whilst respecting heritage and traditions, it also pushes forward to revive past rituals, maintaining the philosophy of fun, entertainment and spontaneous merriment – the core of the festival encapsulates a joyful and social gathering while simultaneously adding more innovative approaches to further enrich past and present customs.

Throughout the years, Il-Karnival ta’ Malta has striven to improve the quality of its installations as well as provide a decent space where these creations can be produced, exhibited and stored. It is through this shift in mindset that a new project entitled The Malta Carnival Experience Project has been thought of, planned out and will become a reality soon. The new project will see to the construction of a Carnival village, which will that will be enjoyed by all throughout the whole year.

Schedule:

FEB21 Carnival 2020 - Dance Competitions
Fri 16:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB22 Carnival 2020 - Children's Carnival
Sat 09:30 St George Square, Valletta
 
FEB22 Carnival 2020 - Carnival Show
Sat 15:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB23 Carnival 2020 - Dance Parade
Sun 09:30 Triq Il-Kbira San Guzepp, Hamrun

FEB23 Carnival 2020 - Grand Parade
Sun 12:30 Fosos, Floriana

FEB23 Carnival 2020 - Carnival Special
Sun 14:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB24 Carnival 2020 Dance Show
Mon 10:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB24 Carnival 2020 - Carnival Show
Mon 16:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB25 Carnival 2020 - Dance Show
Tue 10:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB25 Carnival 2020 - Carnival Companies Special
Tue 18:00 St George Square, Valletta

FEB25 Carnival 2020 - Gran Defile
Tue 18:00 St Anne Street, Floriana