Festivals Malta said that over the past few weeks, a carnival company had already been warned that the design of the float submitted included defamatory aspects.

Festivals Malta, organisers of the Carnival activities, was reacting to media reports that appeared on Thursday a carnival float that was set to participate in this year’s edition of carnival.

The float linked Archbisop Charles Scicluna and a Church home to child abuse. The float features the Archbishop, flanked by two babies with devil's horns and pointy teeth, in front of St Joseph children's home, with the writing 'Jude's hell.'  Jude is Archbishop Scicluna's middle name.

Festivals Malta said that the “sketch presented was lacking other details that further increased the defamatory element. Therefore, through a separate communication, Festivals Malta is also informing the respective carnival company, that with such design, this float is not going to be allowed to participate in the 2020 edition of Carnival.”

While Festivals Malta openly disassociated itself from these defamatory elements as they are being proposed to be presented, it is a firm believer in cultural and artistic expression and recognizes that there should not be any barriers that hinder creativity.

However, although artists enjoy the unprecedented freedom of expression, the legal parameters must at the same time always be observed and respected.