Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Finance Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech launched this year’s programme for the Malta Carnival at Pinto Wharf, Valletta yesterday despite the weather.

The activities begin with the dancing competitions to be held on Friday, 1 February at 6pm in Freedom Square, Valletta and close on Tuesday, 5 February with a Grand Défilé in Freedom Square at 4pm and a Grand Finale at 6.30pm in St Anne’s Street Floriana.

“Carnival has been a characteristic of national life for hundreds of years. It is part of tradition, folklore and culture, fun for children, youths and adults as well as a parody of reality,” said Dr Zammit Dimech, when visiting the warehouses where aficionados are creating the King of Carnival float that starts off all the parades in Valletta.

“The first carnival celebration in Malta was held in 1535, when Pietro del Ponte was Grand Master. There was a time when Carnival used to be organised in the three cities of Cottonera and one would find people of all ages dressed up and wearing masks in every corner of Malta,” said Minister Zammit Dimech.

“Today the official celebrations take place in Valletta and Victoria, however there are also other activities in Nadur, Gozo and some other localities in Malta. “Carnival is promoted by the Malta Tourism Authority because it serves as a good tourist attraction and we wish tourists to come and celebrate and have fun with us, and take back with them this fun experience of Maltese life,” he added.

The Carnival activities would not be possible if there weren’t dedicated people and artists to build the floats, grotesque masks and costumes for the dance companies, said Dr Zammit Dimech in tribute to the hundreds who toil throughout the year to prepare their creations, as well as the Folklore Commission of the Malta Council of Culture and Arts for their work.

Mr Fenech said the Finance Ministry, thanks to the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund is also doing its part so that activities such as these are done in as professional a way as possible. A total financial contribution of E230,000 is being distributed this year for a number of cultural events.