All set for the big day

Malta will be officially welcomed into the European Union fold at the stroke of midnight today as Grand Harbour is transformed into a spectacle of colour.

All pyrotechnics, fireworks and lights are in place for what promises to be one of the most impressive shows ever witnessed in Malta.

With the exception of an incident in Valletta yesterday when a whirlwind uprooted a marquee and nearby cars were damaged, everything has gone according to plan.

A warm-up show took place over the harbour last night, giving passers-by a taste of what to expect tonight.

The events formally start this evening at 7.15 p.m. when the Works Division Band will play a march starting from City Gate down Lord Nelson Street to Crucifix Hill, Floriana.

At 8.30 p.m., four performing stages will be lined up across the harbour - a jazz stage at Ta' Liesse, two rock and pop stages at Pinto Wharf and a traditional music stage in Senglea.

The Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta will welcome two operatic greats at 9 p.m., when Miriam Gauci and Joseph Calleja will share the stage for the first time.

The one-hour sold-out show, aptly titled Night of the Stars, will include among others, arias from popular operas by Rossini and Puccini.

The attention will then shift to the Grand Harbour where internationally renowned Ross Ashton will use his projection technologies and range of graphic manipulations on the face of the Fort St Angelo bastions.

Minutes to midnight, short messages will be delivered by various personalities and the national anthem will be played.

The highlight of the evening will be provided by the German "architect of light" Gert Hof who will create a light monument on the bastions, accompanied by the music of former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters.

The 15-minute musical snippet has attracted massive interest from Pink Floyd fans worldwide, especially since the opera has been in the making for several years.

The European Broadcasting Union has agreed to allot Malta some 15 minutes of the show. Several foreign journalists are present to witness the event.

The public is urged to use public transport to go to Valletta or Floriana.

The Grand Harbour will be closed to sea traffic except for a limited number of craft accredited to take passengers. The seacraft will be confined to an area below the Lower Barrakka.

Public transport will operate to 23 destinations from the City Gate terminus after the show from 12.30 a.m. tomorrow morning in agreement with the Public Transport Association.

The stretch from near the Police Academy, in Valletta to the area near Sea Malta and down Crucifix Hill will be closed to traffic. By 4 p.m. the area has to be clear of any cars. The streets that will turn into a tow zone today are:

From 6 p.m. in Valletta: Barriera Wharf between the Siege Bell Memorial and Ta' Liesse tunnel; Ta' Liesse Hill between Barriera Wharf and Victoria Gate and Lascaris Wharf between Ta' Liesse tunnel and Crucifix Hill.

From 5 p.m.: Castille Square area between the Emigrants' Commission and St Paul Street; Castille Place area opposite the Malta Stock Exchange; Castille Place area between Boffa Monument and the corner of St James Cavalier; the Central Bank parking area and Freedom Square and area of Old Theatre ruins.

From 6 p.m. in Floriana at Pinto Wharf between Crucifix Hill and the Sea Terminal entrance and Crucifix Hill between Lascaris Wharf and Capuchin Street.

As from tomorrow, under the auspices of the South Street Business Community, for four consecutive Saturdays, South Street, Valletta, will be transformed into a lively venue featuring street art, gastronomic delights, children's games and many other activities of popular appeal.

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca will celebrate Mass at St John's co-Cathedral, in Valletta.

Celebrations in Gozo take place tomorrow climaxing with a fireworks display at 10.15 p.m.