The COVID-19 situation has evolved further and we are dealing with a global challenge. The World Health Organization has declared this outbreak a pandemic and many governments around the world have taken stricter and more impactful measures to ensure the safety of their citizens. In the light of the situation Festivals Malta is announcing that the Summer Carnival 2020 is cancelled as the country perseveres to get the coronavirus outbreak contained.
Annabelle Stivala, director of Festivals Malta said, “we very much hope that the situation will have significantly improved by August. But even if it does, we cannot risk the participants’ well-being over the next few months, during which the summer floats are usually built.” Ms Stivala explained that the social distancing measure does not allow for participants to be in close proximity of each other and therefore the floats will not be ready in time for August’s Summer Carnival.
“During these challenging times, we all need to take all necessary measures to stay safe. We look forward to seeing better days prevail soon, so that we can all go back to living life to the fullest and to doing what we all love best.
In the meantime, however we will continue working closely with Carnival participants. The workshops planned for April, which will focus on how to approach satire and another in traditional Carnival costume design will still happen and arrangements are being made for these to be accessed online.
“I would like to thank the participants, Għaqda tal-Parteċipanti, the Carnival Committee and the Artistic Director for their commitment and while I appreciate that these are uncertain times that are unsettling for many; I am convinced that we will get through these difficult times. Stay home and stay safe,” added Ms Stivala.
Festivals Malta tħabbar li l-Karnival tas-Sajf 2020 huwa kkanċellat
Is-sitwazzjoni COVID-19 evolviet aktar u qed nħabbtu wiċċna ma sfida globali. L-Organizzazzjoni Dinjija tas-Saħħa ddikjarat din it-tifqigħa bħala pandemija u bosta gvernijiet madwar id-dinja ħadu miżuri aktar stretti u ta’ impatt biex jiżguraw is-sigurtà taċ-ċittadini tagħhom. Fid-dawl tas-sitwazzjoni Festivals Malta qed tħabbar li l-Karnival tas-Sajf 2020 huwa kkanċellat hekk kif il-pajjiż qed jippersevera biex ikollu kontroll fuq it-tifqigħ tal-koronavirus.
Annabelle Stivala, direttur ta’ Festivals Malta qalet, “nittamaw li s-sitwazzjoni titjieb b’mod sinifikanti sa Awwissu. Iżda anke jekk jiġri hekk, ma nistgħux nirriskjaw il-benesseri tal-parteċipanti matul ix-xhur li ġejjin, li matulhom is-soltu jinbnew il-karrijiet tal-karnival tas-sajf." Is-Sinjura Stivala spjegat li l-miżura ta’ social distancing ma tippermettix li l-parteċipanti jkunu viċin xulxin u għalhekk mhux possibbli li l-karrijiet ikunu lesti fil-ħin għall-Karnival tas-Sajf ta' Awwissu.
"Matul dawn iż-żminijiet ta' sfida, lkoll għandna nieħdu l-miżuri kollha meħtieġa biex nibqgħu sikuri. Aħna nħarsu 'l quddiem biex naraw ġranet aħjar, biex lkoll inkunu nistgħu mmorru lura għall-ħajja normali kemm jista' jkun malajr.
Intant, madankollu se nkomplu naħdmu mill-qrib mal-parteċipanti tal-Karnival. Il-workshops li kellna ppjanati għal April, li se jiffukaw fuq kif wieħed javviċina s-satira u d-disinn tradizzjonali tal-kostumi tal-Karnival xorta se jseħħ u qed isiru arranġamenti biex dawn ikunu jistgħu jiġu aċċessati online.
"Nixtieq nirringrazzja lill-parteċipanti, l-Għaqda tal-Parteċipanti, il-Kumitat tal-Karnival u d-Direttur Artistiku għall-impenn tagħhom u filwaqt li napprezza li dawn huma żminijiet inċerti li joħolqu bosta diffikutajiet; jiena konvinta li se noħorġu minnhom iktar b’saħħitna. Ibqgħu d-dar biex tipproteġu lilkom infuskom u lil ta madwarkom,” żiedet is-Sinjura Stivala.