Curious shoppers headed to St George's Square yesterday to experience the newly refurbished piazza in central Valletta, one day after its inauguration.

Claudia Calleja found that the square, bettern known as Palace Square, lured people to walk further down Republic Street than they usually would... and many liked what they saw.

Activities to mark the inauguration of the square are continuing throughout the week.

This morning, scouts and guides from the Central District will march from City Gate to the square and hold a parade between 11 a.m. and 12.30.

Sarsaza Percussion Ensemble will give a performance between 12.30 and 1.45 p.m.

A spectacular re-enactment of celebrations held to mark the military victory at Lepanto will be held between 3.15 and 4.30 p.m. Taking part will be more than 100 reenactors in period costumes. The activity also starts at City Gate and goes down Republic Street to Palace Square.

Other activities today include shows for children by animators ans falconers between 4.30 and 8.30 p.m., a parade by Tama Tnabar between 4.30 and 5.30 p.m., a violin performance by Simon Vella at 6.30 p.m., a show - Muzzle unplugged, between 6.30 and 7.30 p.m., fire juggling and fire eating between 6.30 and 8.30 p.m. and a performance by the saxaphone quartet Sassofoni at 7.30 p.m.

The Animae Gospel Choir will give a live concert on the square between 8.30 and 10.30 p.m.