Carnival as a potent weapon of criticism

Abstract

In this piece, Demarco discusses Proffesor Vicki Ann Cremona’s latest book ‘Carnival and Power – Play and Politics in a Crown Colony’ (Published 2018). The book recounts the Maltese Carnival parade from the time of early British rule, using it as a medium to dissect the political relationship and power-play between the 'Colonizer' and the 'Colonized'. She writes that it did not take long before political tensions started bleeding into every aspect of life, i.e; even activities of leisure such as Carnival. In fact, Carnival festivities and floats provided an influential platform to articulate and even perform the tensions that existed between the Maltese and the English. To Prof. Cremona these roots started the trends and traditions that still exist today where floats use satire to poke fun at political figures and government decisions. The text also provides an introduction to the local political parties that were found in 1880, as well as their pro or anti-English standpoints. Features an image of the cover page and other illustrations from the book.