Pawlu Curmi’s name is synonymous with the official Carnival held every year in Valletta. He is the longest participating artist in this colourful event, so much so that in January 2005 the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, which now is responsible for this event, deemed it right to issue a press release about his 55th year of contribution to Carnival.
Born in 1930 at Valletta to Ganni and Giorgia née Cremona, the youngest of nine boys in a family of 13 children, Curmi’s first connection with the arts was music. His family were the owners of two music establishments in Strada Stretta — the Follies Bergere and the Jazz Variety — where, aged just 7, he was already playing the drums.
In 1956 Curmi, always on the drums, formed part of the Oscar Lucas Band, a quintet together with Oscar Lucas, Lee Spiteri, Charles Lucas, and Joe Curmi, the latter being Pawlu’s brother. When the Las Vegas establishment was inaugurated 4 years later, the same band was resident there. Pawlu had also been
responsible for the interior design of this place. In later years Pawlu used to play at the Dragonara Casino, at the Whispers Nightclub, Caesar’s (with Rolf Harris), and with the Rediffusion orchestra.
Pawlu’s participation in carnival started with the company of his brother-in-law Christopher Caruana in 1950, and later with that of his brother Salvu. In a short time Pawlu formed his own company. Very often participating as a dancer himself, his companies participated in several carnival categories and won a number of prizes. Curmi still participates in carnival festivities today, joining many others who had the fortune to learn so much from him, such as Oscar Curmi, Charlie Axisa, Norman Hill, and his brother Charlie.
Curmi was also involved in sports as a football player with Valletta Vanguards and he was instrumental in reestablishing the Marsamxett Regatta Club which had been defunct for years.
Curmi is married to Doris Zarb, and they have two children, John and Carmen.