The silliness creative costumes, massive artistic floats, loud music, people dancing, drinking all night, picking on people and so on !!
~Malta celebrated carnival as a major activity since 1535, by the arrival of the knights of St.John, but studies show that the first ever celebrations date back to 1470. Till 1751, major activities have been in Valletta, as before Birgu was the main place, now a days people celebrate carnival in different places such as Floriana, Hal Ghaxiak and Gozo.
Maltese carnival is mostly known for the major floats that goes around the main streets of Floriana to the main streets of Valletta with masquerades following the floats behind the first float .. Ir-Re' tal-Karnivall (the king of carnival)
Today, with still the same law since 1920 political figures are banned to be exposed artistically in floats or costumes as back in 1920's political themes used to lead tense situations.
In Malta, one of the major dances done by groups of dancers is Il-Parata (the parade), where 2 groups dance as they're fighting against each other which symbolise the struggle of the Knights of St.John versus The Turks which dates back to 1565.
In Gozo, carnivall is a bit of a different style .. where everyone heads to Nadur and get drunk all night.
Costumes are generally a full body one so one could not be noticed as faces will be hid.
Instead of floats, they use scaffolding surrounded with wood and painted all over, and they travel them by hand as a whole group. They all have different themes, as their creativity is endless, starting with a hospital 'float' and everyone is dressed as nurses and doctors and one will be a patient and will be travelled around the city to a float of chefs, where they'll cook and pass food to people randomly.
Carnival in Malta and Gozo. 2013. Carnival in Malta and Gozo. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.maltamedia.com/features/carnival/2007/02/.
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