For most of us Carnival means a few days of celebration, but for others it means months and months of preparation and hard work that lead to this extravagant, vivid and extraordinary feast.
Speaking to The Malta Independent, Gabriella Stagno Piscopo coordinator of the children’s section under founder Joseph Abela’s Lookstar dancers and ‘Ghaqda Kultura Armar Marija Annunzjata’ of Tarxien, revealed the process behind the intricate details on the lavish costumes and the themes and concepts behind them.
The workshop in Tarxien was last week a hive of activity, where Joseph, Gabriella and various volunteers, family members, friends and parents were tirelessly working to finish off the last preparations for the big event.
“The association Ghaqda Kultura Armar Marija Annunzjata was born in 1988 and this will be our 33rd year. We do feasts such as Good Friday but we also have a section on Carnival. Back in the 90s Carnival had started taking a bit of a downward spin and Joseph organised this group because we already had a dance company. We started taking part in Carnival and we never looked back,” Gabriella said.
Photos Mike Camilleri
She described how they initially started parading their costumes in the village and but eventually started taking part in the Valletta Carnival, competing in Section B, the lowest section.
“We competed for the first time in 2004. We had to compete for both best outcome and best dance, which was good because of the fact that we have our own dance school and the association has this passion for costume.”
The company has, over the years used many different themes; from Africa to Egypt and Venice, to Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge, to chess pieces and pirates. “This year’s theme for the adults section is The Great Gatsby and while the children are going to be toys and candy.”
There are 36 participants in each category.
Gabriella explained that each costume costs a minimum of €350. “There are usually more than 25 people working on the costumes, at different stations. Some would be sowing, others doing the stitching and beading. A costume is first designed by the artists. Then the materials are gathered in the workshop and the design is put together. It takes a lot time, effort and patience,” Gabriella says.
Preparations for both the costumes and choreography begin in August.
The company, Gabriella says, does it utmost to have super colourful 3D designs. “Our style is always classical and baroque. You can always tell that the costumes are ours.”
“This team is like family. We all do our bit to get the job done. Carnival is a passion for me, and it is for every other person here as well. It takes love and passion to be here from 3am every day.
It is a proud moment to be representing your village and country during Carnival. We have been performing in Valletta for 12 years and we keep winning the people’s choice award, along with awards for the costumes. This means so much us. Carnival is all about being innovative.”
Gabriella said Carnival has gone from something that was predominantly done by Valletta-based people and companies to something companies from all over the island, even from Gozo, participate in. This brings in “new ideas and artistic direction.”
