Carnival approaches and with it the time of gay abandon and sweet revelrie afore the fervent believers among us take up the fasting that is necessary during the time of Lent. Etymologyical geeks can really feast on this period that give us such lovely words as “lent” itself which derives from the Germanic word “long” because it is during this period that days become longer again.
Fasting – or going without food – also gave us the word “breakfast” (or déjeuner in French) both of which refer to the fact that upon waking we break (or end) and involuntary fast (Latin jejunare – to fast). The word Carnival itself is subject to numerous etymological theories one of which claims that the word derives from the Italian “carne vale” as in “meat is allowed” before lent.
Malta has long had its own carnival tradition and special village carnivals like the one in Nadur bring out the full extent of the idea of “blugha and zebliegh” two terms I hesitate to translate. This year the time to revel comes in a period of lean and might very well be a good excuse for people to let their hair down and forget their worries. Unfortunately the neutered version of carnival, replete with May Day style floats and orphan of political satyre thanks to the twisted sensitivities of whoever makes the rules might not be the final solution.
J’accuse might be off to Maastricht and Aachen to discover a taster of Carnival elsewhere this coming weekend. We read that the Maltese public will be enjoying a ludic version of the notte bianca for carnival night. Good for them… another reason to rock Valletta alive down to its foundations … FAA permitting of course.
Finally, if you were evering wondering why you should remember what the capital of Equatorial Guinea is, now is the time to savour your knowledge and show off. Malabo is under siege by seaborne gunmen. Even countries have their 15 minutes of fame these days… pity that it should be under such circumstances.
