The Astra Power Boys are a group of young men all coming from the ‘La Stella’ Band Club in Victoria Gozo and who are utilising their free time in producing the float and set of grotesque masks to participate annually in the Gozo Regional Carnival.

Triumphal float in the name of George Vella, Johnny Micallef and George James Cutajar Zahra. The float is named ‘Id-Dinja kollha dort; L-Aqwa Karnivali zort’ (I have travelled all the globe and visited the best carnivals) and is all about the best three carnivals around the world: those of Venice in Italy, Brazil and our islands Malta and Gozo.

The float is a whole celebrations of these carnivals interpreted through colourful and well lit characters. The preliminary design for the float started in late July with the actual work started two months later.

“The group of youths spent the last four months not only working on this float, but also did their best to learn different different skills including papier-mâché, airbrush and welding techniques together with other life-skills such as thinking creatively and problem solving.”

The group worked under the leadership of three main Gozitian artists: George Vella and brothers Michael and George James Cutajar Zahra. Johnny Micallef also worked alongside them on the iron structure and Donald Micallef took care of all the electric lighting of the float.

Grotesque masks were detailed by Andre Mercieca – in the designs of a three course meal, with wine, completed with the ‘prinjolata’ which is a very popular local dessert during these days, with the assistance of the same artists and Riccardo Gatt Ellis.

The Society said that, “it is important that young people such as these continue to retain the tradition of the Carnival in Gozo. It is also important that the partnership of La Stella Band Club continues taking part in the Gozo Carnival, helping to keep a group of youths active all year round, particularly during the quiet months of winter, while continuing making its part in contributing for the Cultural sphere in Gozo.”

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