The Gozo Committee for National and Regional Celebrations within the Ministry for Gozo, will again be organizing Carnival in Gozo through a programme spread over ten days. The Gozo Regional Carnival 2009 will kick off in Victoria on this coming Saturday, the 14th of February, with activities running up to Tuesday the 24th of February.

The scheduled programme is as follows:

Saturday 14th February 2009 – The Gozo Regional Carnival will officially start with a Grand Defilè from Savina Square through Republic Street up to Kennedy Square in Victoria at 6.30 p.m.

A programme of competitive dancing, local bands, masks, floats and costumes at Kennedy Square, Victoria at 7.30 p.m.

Sunday 15th February 2009 – Carnival in Gharb, organized by Gharb Local Council at 4.00 p.m.

Monday 16th February 2009 – Inauguration of a Photographic exhibition in connection with Carnival in Gozo, by photographer Mike Wong Beresford. Banca Giuratale, Independence Square Victoria at 7.00 p.m.

Wednesday 18th February 2009 – “Maskarat tini perlina” – a Carnival variety show for all participants and helpers at the Cittadella Centre for Culture and the Arts at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday 19th February 2009 – Carnival in Kercem, organized by Kercem Local Council at 6:30 p.m.

Carnival in Nadur, organized by Nadur Local Council at 6:00 p.m.

Friday 20th February 2009 – “Mit-Tfal ghat-Tfal” – Carnival defilè with the participation of dancing groups from Gozitan schools along Republic Street, followed by a show in Independence Square, Victoria at 10.00 a.m.

Carnival in Xaghra in the main square, organized by Xaghra Local Council from 6:00 p.m. onwards.

Saturday 21st February 2009 – Children’s Regional Carnival, Independence Square, Victoria at 10:00 a.m.

Carnival in Xewkija, organized by Xewkija Local Council from 5:30 p.m. onwards.

Carnival in San Lawrenz at the village’s main square, organized by San Lawrenz Local Council at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday 22nd February 2009 – Carnival in Munxar, organized by the Munxar Local Council from 9:30 a.m. onwards

Gozo Regional Carnival with a grand defilè followed by dance competitions in Independence Square, Victoria from 3:00 p.m. onwards.

Monday 23rd February 2009 – Carnival in Zebbug organised by Zebbug Local Council from 6:30 p.m. onwards.

Carnival in Qala organized by Qala Local Council at St Joseph’s Square from 7:00 p.m. onwards.

Carnival in Sannat organised by Sannat Local Council from 6.30 p.m. onwards.

Tuesday 24th February 2009 – Closing celebrations of the Gozo Regional Carnival with a grand defilè followed by dance competitions and a Grand Finale at Independence Square, Victoria at 7:00 p.m.