Carnival in Gozo will mainly take place in five localities: Victoria, which the main organised event by Gozo Culture within the Ministry for Gozo; Nadur mainly known for its spontaneous Carnival; Xewkija, Għajnsielem and Xagħra. The latter four are organised by their respective local councils. (Cover photo by visitgozo.com)
Victoria’s regional Carnival features street parades with grotesque masks, dance companies, floats, bands, hilarious sketches and the traditional Kumittiva. Nadur, will provide an organised Carnival event, organised by the local council, on Sunday 4 February at noon. Then the spontaneous Carnival starts from 9 till 13 February 2018 from Nadur Square to the street leading to the band clubs. The spontaneous Carnival takes place round 8.30pm along the main streets of Nadur featuring a multitude of masked and hooded creatures wearing all kinds of funny and grotesque costumes. The spontaneous Carnival will also feature a number of guest DJs in the square featuring Wobis Duo, Kugene (Sound Salon Crew), Joe Spiteri, Pierre Cordina, Ron & Friends, Micimago and Chris Nooke. There will also be għannejja providing entertainment.
SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018
12.00 – 4pm, Nadur Square
The Nadur Organised Carnival involves a programme full of hilarious dances, costume dances, large and smaller floats, bands, costumes and maskeruni together with other masks and kukkanja for children and adults. The programme involves 500 participants and will be presented by Toni Busuttil (Toni tal-Vann) and Mireille Bonello.
FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2018
Official Opening of Victoria Carnival
7pm, Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
Official opening of the Gozo Regional Carnival with a Grand Defilé with all participants of the Gozo Regional Carnival along Republic Street to Independence Square. Then a spectacle of dance companies in Independence Square will take place.
SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018
Children’s Carnival, Victoria
9.30am, Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
Defilé with all participants along Republic Street to Independence Square. Dancing spectacle with the participation of dancing companies, il-kumittiva together with floats and grotesque masks. Special guests Daisy and Donald Duck.
Għajnsielem Carnival Programme
3pm, in front of band clubs
The programme, presented by Veronica & id-Dulli, includes a dance spectacle by various local dance companies, kukkanja for children and adults, a parade of floats and grotesque masks and costume competitions including the Mr Queen Carnival.
Victoria Defilé and Carnival programme
6pm, Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
Defilé along Republic Street to Independence Square, ending with a dancing spectacle with the participation of dancing companies together with triumphal floats, grotesque masks, il-kumittiva, and special guests of Maltese dancing companies, Big Friends Guggen Musik Malta and TAMA TNABAR.
Xagħra Carnival Event
7.30pm, Nazzarenu Sqaure
The programme consists of the traditional kukkanja and kumittiva dance. There will be also line dancing and various Carnival competitions.
SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018
Victoria Defilé and Carnival programme
Xagħra Carnival Event
10.30am, from near Ta’ Kola Windmill to Victory Square
Carnival band marches by the Victory Band of Xagħra, starting from near Ta’ Kola Windmill in Bambina Street along Frangisk Camilleri Street, Imqades Street, 8th September Avenue and Victory Square. Then the first part of the kumittiva dance takes place followed by the Victory Band, which will keep on playing Carnival band marches in Victory Square.
From noon onwards, there will be a varied Carnival programme in square including a defilé of Carnival floats, dance by local companies and the traditional kumittiva dance.
The Xewkija Carnival Event
10.30am, Xewkija Square
Xewkija’s Local Council is organising the annual Carnival activity in the village square consisting of various dances by folk groups and local carnival groups, costume and float competition. It ends by a large number of locals attempting the traditional kukkanja.
Victoria Defilé and Carnival programme
2.30pm Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
Defilé along Republic Street to Independence Square ending with a dancing spectacle with the participation of dancing companies together with triumphal floats, grotesque masks, bands, il-kumittiva, Big Friends Guggen Musik Malta and TAMA TNABAR.
Il-Qarċilla: L-Għarusa Karfusa
3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm; Victoria and Nadur
A representation of il-Qarċilla: L-Għarusa Karfusa by Teatru Malta will take place at 3.30pm and 6pm in Independence Square, Victoria and at 8.30pm in front of the Nadur Basilica.
MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2018
Victoria Defilé and Carnival programme
6pm Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
Defilé along Republic Street to Independence Square, ending with a dancing spectacle with the participation of dancing companies together with triumphal floats, grotesque masks, il-kumittiva, and Maltese/Brazilian band ‘Sambrazilian’.
TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2018
Victoria Grand Finale
6pm Republic Street to Independence Square (It-Tokk), Victoria
A dancing spectacle with the participation of dancing companies together with triumphal floats, grotesque masks, and local band.
For more information visit www.visitgozo.com
