Nadur is World Carnival City
In
May next year Nadur will be hosting the Silver Jubilee Convention of the
Foundation of European Carnival Cities (FECC).
Speaking
during a press conference to announce the selection of Nadur as World
Carnival City for the coming year, Nadur Mayor Dr Chris Said revealed
the Local Council's plan to organise a big-scale memorable event. Dr
Said added that the event is expected to attract around 400 FECC
delegates from all over the world and would also promote the Maltese
Islands as a Carnival destination. "Besides promoting our cultural
heritage, the Nadur 2005 Convention will also serve to establish close
links between Carnival enthusiasts from all over the world," the
Mayor added. Dr Said also launched the Nadur 2005 logo, designed by
Daniel Mercieca.
Minister for Youth and the Arts, Jesmond Mugliett, said Malta is honoured to be hosting this event in May next year because it highlights the uniqueness of the Maltese and Gozitan carnivals.
"Carnival needs an organisational setup but also needs reflection and study. That is exactly the role of the FECC - getting people together to discuss and exchange views about the various ways with which different cities go about organising their carnivals. It is not intended to make all carnivals the same or make them borrow ideas from each other - but to make its members learn about different aspects of this festivity," he said.
FECC President Henry Van der Kroon also addressed the press and said he is eager to return to Malta in May next year for the Silver Jubilee FECC Convention. He said Nadur managed to host this Convention because it showed that it had a very particular and distinct Carnival. Mr Van der Kroon said Carnival is not about jokes but about heritage. He also revealed that the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands, Cardinal Adrian Simonis, of Utrecht, will be in Nadur for the FECC Silver Jubilee Convention.
During the same press conference, FECC President awarded the FECC Award to Mr Joe Zahra for his service to the Maltese Carnival and the FECC. Minister Mugliett presented the medal to Mr Zahra.
While
addressing the press, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Director Mario
Attard said the MTA is giving all its support to Nadur in the
organisation of the FECC Convention. He said MTA is committed to promote
Malta as a tourist destination throughout the year and the Nadur 2005
Convention, to be held in Spring 2005, will be attracting hundreds of
Carnival enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, the 24th international convention of the FECC, which is being held in Pernik, Bulgaria, between 23rd May and 31st May 2004, will be honouring Nadur as the World Carnival City.
