Dr Said was elected secretary general of the FECC on 27 May, during the FECC general assembly in Pernik, Bulgaria. The mayor of Nadur, the Gozitan town renowned for its carnival celebrations, had already been elected a member of the FECC international executive board.

The FECC was founded in 1980 and has since then worked to promote carnival celebrations across Europe and beyond. It is represented in almost 40 countries, including the USA, Argentina, Brazil and Cuba.

As secretary general of the FECC, Dr Said will coordinate the work carried out by all FECC committees around the world and plan a number of annual events organised by the foundation. “It is an honour for me to be elected as secretary general of the FECC. It

is also a position that calls for

great commitment and dedication,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nadur was officially crowned World Carnival City on 29 May – a title it will hold for one year. The title was passed to Nadur from the Bulgarian city of Pernik. In May next year Nadur will be hosting the Silver Jubilee convention of the FECC. The event is expected to attract hundreds of carnival enthusiasts from all over the world and will promote the Maltese Islands as a carnival destination. “The response we are receiving for the 25th convention is overwhelming,” said Dr Said said. “Carnival companies from Aruba, Sweden, Portugal and Germany have already booked their place. Hotels in Gozo will definitely be in for a busy week in May next year.”

Nadur local council is planning to organise a memorable, big-scale event between 28 May and 4 June next year. The programme of events has already been concluded and was presented to FECC members in May.

FECC president Henry Van der Kroon said he expects Nadur to organise the biggest and most spectacular FECC convention ever and he is looking forward to being in Malta next year.