When Carnival celebrations come around each year, cities throughout the world, including Valletta, explode in a riot of colour and celebration—one final act of decadence and indulgence before Lent—that takes place between 9 February to Mardi Gras on 13 February. Aside from the parades and music, costumes and cameraderie, nothing symbolizes the season quite like a masked ball. Malta’s Carnevale-The Grandmaster’s Ball, will be held on 10 February, and is guaranteed to be an opulent, elegant and indulgent affair that celebrates of the rich culture and and heritage of Malta.
Tickets are still available so grab a mask, historical or period costume, and book a seat at Carnevale for a night you won’t soon forget.
Carnevale—The Grandmaster’s Ball
Guests are invited to embark on a journey of culture, tradition and opulence set against the backdrop of a venue renowned for its grandeur and architectural splendour.
This year’s edition of the Grandmaster’s Ball, Carnevale, will take place on Saturday 10 February at the resplendent sixteenth century Sacra Infermeria and La Valette Hall, nowadays known as the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) in the heart of Valletta, across the magnificent Grand Harbour. The MCC is a Baroque building which began life as a hospital during the times of the Knights and during World War I became known as “the Hospital of the Mediterranean”, providing care and recovery for many hundreds of military personnel, from the British military services around the Mediterranean.
Grandmaster Lascaris (one of the most renowned) initiated The Carnivale, a Grandmaster’s Ball for the titled and well-to-do and it was a night filled with laughter, music, theatre, dance and food. This year, attendees can expect more of the same, with live entertainment and performances from local artists, a seated 4-course dinner complimented by superior wine, and an after dinner ball that is sure to be a night to remember.
Attendees must be 18 years or older, and the dress code is a historical or periodic costume and mask or alternatively black tie and mask.
The 16th Century MCC with its remarkable La Valette Hall is the resplendent venue for this year’s Grandmaster’s Ball on 10 February
Whet Your Appetite: The Evening’s Menu
The event will be a five-star display that commences with Prosecco and canapés including chicken liver parfait, sweetcorn mousse, porcini popcorn, piperade and pomegranate Bruschetta, quail egg and parsnip mayo, and cured seabass terrine
Then, take your seat for a divine four-course dinner:
Starter
Goat’s cheese bavarois, sundried tomato crumble, tomato water, white onion marmalade, basil oil
Intermediate
Sage and squash risotto with blood orange reduction, roasted almond, amaretti crumble
Main:
Angus beef fillet, with potato and short rib cake, winter vegetables, truffle jus
Dessert
Ricotta and candied peel Mousse, chiacchiere, strawberry, pistachio
*Dietary requirements and requests can be made via: matthew@mcc.com.mt quoting your order number, name and surname, and the request.
Carnival in Malta is a time of colourful cavorting and over indulgence just before entering 40 days lent (Photo by Agustinagava – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130044655)
Brief Carnival History
Carnival was introduced into the Maltese Islands by the Knights of St John during the early Middle Ages – in line with the event throughout the Christian world. Needless to say as it is the time for wide and colourful cavorting and over indulgence just before entering 40 days of fasting, solemnity and sobriety. The celebratory days were (and still are) filled with colourful parades, including giant floats (sometimes satirical), music, singing, and open air dancing in squares. But the pinnacle of it all for high society was the masked ball.
Read more about Malta’s Carnival celebrations here.
Get Tickets
Tickets are 150 euros per person and there is a 12 euro per ticket
Phone +356 2559 5750 or +356 2124 3840
E-Mail matthew@mcc.com.mt
Follow MCC on Instagram
FYI: Carnival in Malta is not restricted to the well-to-do who can afford to attend this splendid dinner celebration. Most Carnival events are free and open to the public who can witness spectacle of colour and events, between 9 —13 February.
Floats and parades are free and accessible during carnival week (photo by Agustinagava – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130044662)
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BeSeeingYou: In Malta
Good To Know: The dress code is historical or periodic costume and mask, or alternatively black tie attire and mask.
WOW! Factor: The 16th-century Mediterranean Conference Centre, one of Valletta’s most remarkable landmarks
Tip: A valid ticket must be produced to get into an event
Author bio: Albert Fenech
salina46af@gmail.com
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