Carnival

Carnival floats painted in vibrant colours and creative costumes were highlights of the carnival weekend, with celebrations continuing till tomorrow.

This year’s carnival weekend saw Valletta and Floriana filled with colourful floats and plenty of costumes.

Carnival launched on Friday 21 February, and will continue through to the Grand Finale on the 25th.

Carnival is one of the oldest historical festivals in Malta, with just under five centuries of credited and documented history dating back to the Knights of St John’s time in Malta.

Festivals Malta explains that Malta’s carnival features distinct floats, masks and choreographed dances, developed from traditions passed down through history.

Valletta saw countless shows over the weekend, involving dancers of all ages, as well as the traditional float parade. Families were seen walking around with their children dressed in various costumes.

This year’s event, however, also saw its share of controversy, over a float depicting the Archbishop. The carnival float linking Archbishop Charles Scicluna and a Church home to child abuse had drawn widespread condemnation, and the creators were initially told that it would not be allowed to be included in carnival. Later, however, the float’s design was changed and a compromise was reached between organisers and the float’s designer, which meant that the altered version was allowed to take part.