Huge Success for Malta Summer Carnival 2013

Huge Success for Malta Summer Carnival 2013

The Malta Summer Carnival broke records not only in the number of companies participating in the main defilé but also in the large crowds attracted and in the commercial activity generated in one of the island’s main tourism hotspots.

Large crowds gathered in the main streets of Qawra and Buġibba for the Malta Summer Carnival held last weekend, which brought colour and activity to one of the tourist hotspots on the island.

The Carnival, which was held this year after an absence of one year, included a defilé around the streets of Buġibba and Qawra. It converged on the main square in Buġibba with a grand spectacle of floats - prepared specifically for this Carnival - decorated maskaruni, dance companies, crafts exhibitions – and even the traditional ġostra, where competitors climbed a greased pole over the sea in an attempt to grab the flag stuck to the end of it.

Dance companies performed in the main square as well as during the parades in the main streets. Stands with traditional Maltese crafts were set up around the streets of Buġibba.

One of the aims of the Malta Summer Carnival is to provide an added attraction for tourists who are in our country during summer time and who can enjoy some of the spectacle which is offered during the February Carnival.

“This year’s Carnival augurs well for next year’s Summer Carnival – both because of its great success and because of the public’s reaction,” said Carnival director Jason Busuttil.

“The participants were also satisfied with the way the Carnival was organised throughout Buġibba and Qawra and, all along the defilé, people and tourists participated by dancing along to the music coming from the floats. Buġibba’s main square also attracted the crowds early since the traditional ġostra was held in the bay,” he said

“Based on this year’s success, we will definitely be working to make next year’s Summer Carnival an even bigger success.”

In comments on facebook, parliamentary secretary for Culture and Local Government Jose’ Herrera praised everyone’s commitment to ensure that this year’s edition of the Malta Summer Carnival was a success. “This success was registered not only in the record number of participants and companies which participated in the defilé over two days but also in the record number of people who attended this activity.” Dr Herrera also thanked the commercial community which played a large role in this event and which is also looking to make next year’s edition even bigger. This is the way, said Dr Herrera, in which culture and tourism can be merged, as such events provide incentives to commercial activity in Buġibba and Qawra.

The Carnival was organised by the Carnival Committee and supported by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Culture and Local Government, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), St Paul’s Bay local council and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA)

Becarelli c.Dussi