Four members of ‘Crew 94‘ recently traveled to Malta and took part in the proceedings of Dies Natalis, the three-day meeting of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC), which this year was hosted in Valletta from 18 to 20 October. It was the only Greek delegation at a conference that brought together about 100 carnivalists from all over Europe. The aim is the exchange of views on carnival issues and the strengthening of relations between European cities that organize historical carnivals.
The Greek delegation had the opportunity to meet and discuss with delegations from 14 different countries that traveled to Malta for the same purpose. Special relations were created or maintained with carnivalists from Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Montenegro, Belgium, Holland, North Macedonia and also the USA (which participated in this year’s meeting as an associated country).
The participants (all members of carnival boards as well as representatives of carnival groups) lived a unique experience of sharing carnival knowledge and traditions. The three-day program also included tourist visits and guided tours in Valletta, Birgu, Sliema, as well as a full-day introduction to the island of Gozo – venue of the famous Mediterranean Carnival of the same name with its imaginative floats – where members of the expeditions visited the towns of Xewkija, Nadur, Ghajnsielem and the imposing Cittadella citadel.
The parade with the flags of the countries on the main street of Valletta filled the marching members of the Greek delegation with emotion, as the reception by the spectators and the rest of the delegations was remarkably warm. During their stay in Malta, the representatives of Crew 94 (Eleni Kitsiou, Despina Kouna, Anthi Krilis and Giorgos Makkas) also visited the Mayor of Valletta at the city hall, while they also made sure to meet with members of the local Greek community.
It is recalled that the FECC (Federation of European Carnival Cities) was founded in Patras in 1981 and has been operating systematically since then, promoting carnival exchanges between the cities participating in it, organizing annual conferences and meetings. “Crew 94” is a member of the Federation and this year participated for the first time in its official conference, in the context of the extroversion it has shown with the “Carnival trips” it organizes from time to time.
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Interview with Eleni Kitsiou, Member of Crew 94
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Eleni. Crew 94 recently represented Greece at the FECC conference in Valletta, Malta. Can you share what this experience meant for your team?
Eleni Kitsiou: Thank you for having me! It was an incredible honor for Crew 94 to be the only Greek delegation at the conference. Participating in the FECC has strengthened our connections with carnivalists from all over Europe, allowing us to share our traditions and learn from others. The opportunity to network with carnivalists from 14 different countries was invaluable.
Interviewer: What were some highlights of the conference for you and your team?
Eleni Kitsiou: One standout moment was the parade with the flags on the main street of Valletta. It was a truly emotional experience to represent Greece and receive such warm reception from the locals and other delegations. Additionally, the guided tours around Valletta and Gozo were fantastic, showcasing the rich culture and history of Malta.
Interviewer: How did Crew 94 prepare for this conference, considering it was your first official attendance?
Eleni Kitsiou: We prepared by focusing on our Carnival trips and promoting the unique aspects of our Greek carnival culture. We also developed presentations that could engage our fellow carnivalists, ensuring we could contribute meaningfully to discussions.
Interviewer: Did you encounter any specific challenges during the conference?
Eleni Kitsiou: One challenge was bridging language barriers with some of the international participants. However, the passion we share for carnival traditions transcended any differences, allowing for meaningful conversations despite any language discrepancies.
Interviewer: What are Crew 94’s plans moving forward after this experience?
Eleni Kitsiou: We’re keen to build on the connections we established at the conference, collaborating on future carnival events and exchanges. We would like to host more “Carnival trips” that can include participants from other countries to further promote cultural exchange and understanding.
Interviewer: That sounds exciting! what would you say is the most important takeaway from your trip?
Eleni Kitsiou: The power of community! This experience reinforced how festivals and carnivals bring people together, celebrating diversity while fostering friendship and collaboration. We are excited to bring this spirit back to our local Greek community.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Eleni. We look forward to seeing how Crew 94 continues to grow and connect with the international carnival community!
Eleni Kitsiou: Thank you! We’re looking forward to it as well.
G> Yes, as this was our first time participating, we faced challenges related to language barriers and understanding different carnival customs. However, we approached these challenges as learning opportunities, and the support from other delegations was greatly appreciated. It was heartening to witness everyone’s willingness to share their experiences and knowledge.
Interviewer: That sounds like a great experience! How do you think participating in the FECC will impact Crew 94 moving forward?
Eleni Kitsiou: Participating in the FECC has opened doors for us to collaborate with other carnival groups in Europe. We aim to implement some of the ideas and techniques we learned from other countries into our own celebrations. Moreover, we hope to organize joint events with these groups in the future, which will enrich our carnival traditions and promote cultural exchange.
Interviewer: What’s next for Crew 94 after this conference?
Eleni Kitsiou: We’re excited to return home and share everything we learned with our members. Our immediate goal is to prepare for our upcoming carnival events and to incorporate new ideas. We’re also considering participating in future FECC events and keeping the connections we’ve made alive, which we believe will enhance the Greek carnival scene significantly.
Interviewer: Thank you so much for your insights, Eleni. It sounds like Crew 94 had an impactful experience at the conference!
Eleni Kitsiou: Thank you! We appreciate the opportunity to share our experience and look forward to contributing even more to the carnival community in Greece and beyond.
