Tourism has this ability to turn all attractions into distractions, activities that are clearly out to turn a profit but certainly not interested in turning any heads! Over the years we have come to take the three days of Carnival as some very commercial and, at least in my opinion, totally drab activity that lacks the real sense of purpose for which it had been initiated centuries ago! “It-tliet ijiem ta’ bluha!” (The three days of madness) some elderly relatives will tell their grandchildren. But , somehow, these three days lack the spirit of any local character – they could be happening in any other country. We need to give these activities that definite mark of authenticity that expresses the living history we need to create real attractions.
Carnival could be an expression of local talent and artistry; it has all the ingredients for an experience that has the true sense of a Maltese or Gozitan visitor interpretation – but, as with most things today, we tend to do a very good job “cutting and pasting”, re designing images of Brazil, Viareggio or Notting Hill! Now I see that we should have a good opportunity of re thinking this event if a new venue needs to be found for it next year.
The first thing we need to remember is that this is the Malta and Gozo Carnival and I believe that we should consider a central venue for the main attractions at a national point such as Ta’ Qali, somewhere where transport links and parking are not a problem; somewhere where colourful floats and the dances can be staged without the issue of limited space that is obvious in any walled town such as Valletta. There is still scope for the Valletta Carnival as there is also scope for the Gozo and Nadur Carnival. These events should have a strong element of the local character about them – for example, the Valletta Carnival could include traditional dances such as the “Maltija”; “Il-Kukkanja” and smaller floats that could be horse drawn or simple “Maskerati”. The local carnivals are also an opportunity for the traditional carnival balls and the more personal expressions displayed by costumes worn by the people and children who frequent them. Local Carnivals are also an opportunity to show authenticity in the gastronomic culture, without the fast food and junk variety we have imported over the years!
On the other hand the more national celebrations need to include a programme that is both local in its character as well as regional and international – an event that is both entertaining for the local resident as well as the visitor. By creating this distinction between the national carnival festival and the local carnival festival we will be giving an opportunity for more diversity for the three days.
So, diversity, authenticity and uniqueness need to be the essential ingredients that will enhance the carnival celebrations; but more than that, by ensuring these three factors for any programme we will be offering an experience to visitors (and local residents) that could become the real “Karnival ta’ Malta” brand. At the moment what we are having is an event that has outgrown its original scope; an event that should offer the opportunities for innovation and creativity; an event where commercial expectations seem to have overtaken the traditional and cultural expectations.
I believe that with goodwill we will be able to re create or restore those elements again; Carnival belongs to the people, to the local residents and their families; it belongs to all of us – Maltese and Gozitans; it is not some event that reflects any other we have witnessed at any other destination – so we need to give the event the sense of local identity by involving the local people - offering as well real authenticity. Without this local identity the Malta Carnival will become another event when many will say: “Carnival? Who really cares!”
