It was some 60 years ago that I first read about the tragedy that occurred on the last day of carnival in 1823, when, within half an hour, 110 children died, trampled to death or suffocated. They died in a stampede as they tried to leave by the convent door in St Ursula Street, Valletta, after receiving some refreshments following an afternoon outing.

It was nobody’s fault but the result of unfortunate, unpredictable circumstances. I can’t help thinking about that national tragedy every carnival and, since then, whenever I give a talk or write about carnival, I relate the sad story.

I feel that some sort of monument or commemorative tablet should be erected somewhere. Numerous monuments have been erected for very much less. Participants in children’s carnival will then be able to lay a nominal wreath every year at the foot this monument or inscription and remember those 110 innocent children who died on the last day of carnival traditionally known as “the death of carnival”.

Guido Lanfranco

SLIEMA