11 days of events in Historic Cities Festival

The Malta Historic Cities Festival was launched yesterday at Palazzo Falson, Mdina by Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

The festival, to open on October 6, consists of 11 days of cultural entertainment involving history, pageantry, music, dance and folklore focusing on the historic cities of Valletta, Mdina, Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Victoria.

A number of activities will be held at the Valletta Waterfront including a performance by the folk group I Timetos from Sicily; an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by various artists entitled Fantasy At Sea; a concert entitled Music In Motion by Ruben Zahra, with Sharon Bezzina and Roberta Attard; and another concert by Lydia Buttuigieg on the harp and by baritone Joseph Lia.

On October 7 the I Timetos will feature in Senglea where a concert For Old Times' Sake by the Mike Spiteri Band is also being organised.

On October 8 a number of activities will be organised in Vittoriosa. These include 1565, the musical by Masquerade Theatre Company at Fort St. Angelo; Birgu By Night - music and Maltese food; a concert of 1960s' and 1970s' music by the Mark Spiteri Lucas band; and Night Fever - excerpts from the musical by the Ghaqda Zghazagh Plamisti.

On October 9 the festival will move to Vittoriosa. The activities there include the re-enactment of the inauguration of the Great Siege Monument (1705); the animation Birgu By Candle Light; guided tours; Ghosts of Birgu, and a concert by the Versatile Brass Ensemble.

Between October 10 and 13 a number of activities will be organised in Valletta. These include the re-enactment La Valette - the day after the Great Siege; the mid-day Gun Battery salute; traditional Maltese folk singing; and a Czech Republic band and majorettes.

On October 14 the South Yorkshire Police Band from the UK will perform in Mdina; the 3rd Cadet Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales will perform in Republic Street, Valletta; the Czech Republic Band and majorettes will perform in Cospicua and a concert of salsa music by the Paul Abela Band will be held in Cospicua.

On October 15 there will be an animation by The Swords Of Dumonia in Mdina; the Napoleonic re-enactment by the Historic Re-enactment Group of Malta, Alarme!; an animation Medieval Life At Norman House in Mdina; street theatre by La Giostra Group from Sicily in Mdina; The Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion The Black Watch from the UK in Republic Street, Valletta; and a concert by the Freddie Mizzi Big Band at Great Siege Square in Valletta. The culmination of that day's activities will be the Valletta Military Tattoo at the Palace Square.

The festival comes to an end on October 16 with a re-enactment - Mdina in Norman Times; animation by the Swords of Dumonia; street theatre by La Giostra Group and the re-enactment of the arrival of Count Roger in Malta, all being held in Mdina, as well as the Valletta Military Tattoo in Palace Square in Valletta.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture said that in order to be competitive today's tourism demanded a strong emphasis on the product side, high quality, a clean and healthy environment and regular events that promote Malta as a worthwhile experience rather than just another destination.