The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said Monday that the Maltese carnival will benefit from an investment of €1.2 million worth of modern vehicles that "will raise the quality and standards" of the traditional festival.
In the upcoming edition of carnival, 20 new tractors, equipped with modern technology that reduces their environmental impact, will be used by participants to transport their trailers from their warehouses to Valletta, as well as during celebrations to navigate their floats around the streets of Valletta. This investment also includes 20 new trailers that will be used as of next year’s edition of the festival.
Bonnici stated that through this initiative, the government will continue to reach for its sustainability goals by reducing the impact of carbon emissions on the environment. He went on to say that, because of the fact that this festival represents more than a mere pastime for carnival aficionados, this investment will certainly make a marked difference for the better.
Festivals Malta Chairman Aaron Zahra stressed that the tractors come equipped with various features that help ensure the safety of participants to the festival. This coming carnival will be the first in over two years because of the pandemic lockdowns, so safety is salient in that regard, as festivities are likely to be a little more boisterous than usual.
Festivals Malta CEO Annabelle Stivala added that these tractors represent a change for Malta’s carnival. On top of reducing harmful carbon emissions, she continued, these new tractors will reduce the level of noise pollution that previous models generated. Further, Festivals Malta will be allocating a number of containers scattered along the streets of Valletta, in which organic waste, plastic, and tins will be collected and separated. Festivals Malta hopes that this festival will serve as a springboard to catalyse change for more sustainable festivals in the future.
This year, carnival will take place between 17 and 21 February. For tickets and more information, please visit www.festivals.mt/karnival.