The Malta Carnival 2010 will have many new events including the ‘Night Carnival Feast’ in Floriana on Saturday, 13 February at 6pm.This will continue until the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Kukkanja, a greasy pole contest, will be one of the main attractions organised that night. Last year the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts revived the traditional Kukkanja, in which people try to collect as many presents as they can while they climb up a pole overcoming the obstacles they encounter.

The Kukkanja started in Malta in 1721 during the rule of the Knights of St John but was stopped for a number of years after that. In 1955 the Maltese government re-introduced it in the Carnival activities but afterwards it was stopped. The kukkanja was again held between 1993 and 1997. It was only last year that the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts brought it to life again through an innovative programme. The winners will also win money prizes. The first prize will be e200, the second e100 and the third e50.

Anyone aged over 18 years may participate. There will also be a category for women. Participants may take part as individuals or may represent their locality, or their organisation. To participate, details (name, surname, address, date of birth and telephone number) need to be sent by email to [email protected] or by calling at the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 ‘Casa Gaspe’, Republic Street, Valletta, during office hours. More information is obtainable on tel. 2124 5168 or 2123 2515. This year’s Kukkanja is supported by the Floriana local council.