The initiative of extending carnival activities over 12 days, including two consecutive weekends, has managed to give yet another regional perspective to the Gozo Carnival that is giving Gozo an added attraction for visitors. The Gozo Regional Carnival this year starts on Friday, 25 January and continues daily up to Tuesday, 5 February.

The initiative to extend the Gozo Regional Carnival was first taken by the Gozo Cultural Council within the Ministry for Gozo in 2006, to enable the restructuring of the Carnival organised programme so that activities held in different villages around Gozo could be better followed. The Regional Carnival programme has been devised in a way for local events to be held, as much as possible, on different days and therefore for the several aspects of Carnival to be better appreciated by those wishing to follow the competitions and traditional aspects of this annual celebration.

This is the third time that such a programme is being presented, coordinated by the Gozo Cultural Council within the Ministry for Gozo with the collaboration of all local councils involved in the organisation of Carnival activities within their localities.

The Gozo Regional Carnival 2008 programme will officially start by a Grand Défilé through Fortunato Mizzi Street and Republic Street in Victoria, with competitive dancing performed in the purposely set-up enclosure in Independence Square, Victoria, on Friday, 25 January. Throughout the following 11 days the island will provide a carnival atmosphere with activities held in several localities. The local councils of Xaghra, Nadur, Ghajnsielem, Kercem, Xewkija, San Lawrenz, Munxar, Qala, Gharb and Sannat will all be holding different activities at different days and times.

The popular Nadur spontaneous Carnival will also provide a hint of traditional satire during this time.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono acknowledged the increase in popularity in this traditional cultural manifestation on the island, while also noting that activities specifically aimed towards children help in fostering further interest in such traditions from a tender age.

Minister Debono said that cultural events have proven their potential of attracting a specific niche of local and foreign tourists to Gozo during the leaner months, and it is for this reason that Government launched the Gozo Attractions Incentive Scheme through a joint collaboration between the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry of Finance.