In less than two weeks the famous Nadur’s spontaneous carnival will be held in which one can expect big crowds to accumulate wearing all types of masks and costumes. The carnival takes place in the streets of Nadur, where people wearing all sorts of funny and grotesque creations roam. It is not organized by any committee and subsequently no rules apply.

The name Carnival originates from the Italian phrase ‘Carne vale’, literal translation meaning ‘meat is allowed’, since this event leads up to 40 days of Lent, a time when Christians in the past stopped eating meat as a sacrifice. Carnival is meant to be a time of entertainment before 40 days of sacrifice with its tradition seeing its birth on our islands back to when the Knights of St John also known as the Knights of Malta used to rule over the islands.

In Gozo, it is a yearly activity which attracts local Maltese peope and tourists alike. It’s a time of huge celebrations. The spontaneity of this carnival made it quite unique and one of the best carnivals in Europe with regards to this aspect. This is one of the few events during the year in which Gozo is super busy and full of acrivities. This year the carnival kicks off on the 21st of February and ends on the 25th of February with the peak of the carnival being on Friday and Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: www.tvm.com.mt