Friday's Grand Harbour spectacle 'biggest ever advert' for Malta

The European Broadcasting Union has extended the time dedicated to Malta's EU celebrations, an event the organisers believe will be the biggest ever advert for the island.

The EBU has informed the WelcomEurope consortium that it would also screen part of Ross Ashton's show before midnight, in addition to the 12 minutes allotted to Gert Hof's lights and pyrotechnic show on the stroke of midnight.

Speaking at a news conference at Fort St Angelo yesterday, WelcomEurope chairman Lou Bondì said that Friday's show in Grand Harbour could attract a television audience of up to one billion.

The evening will kick off at 8.30 p.m. when performances will take place on four stages - at Ta' Liesse, Senglea Point, and two at Pinto Wharf.

Each stage will sound a different tune, presenting some 40 local acts in total, from Winter Moods to Renzo Spiteri to The Greenfields.

The music will come to a halt at 11.30 p.m. and, ten minutes later, Ross Ashton - a name synonymous with artists ranging from Pink Floyd to Rod Stewart - will start his architectural light performance. Philip Vella has composed part of the music accompanying Ashton's show.

Mr Bondì explained that the EBU network, responsible for distributing footage of the celebrations in the 10 acceding countries on the night, has recognised the quality of Ashton's show, and agreed to distribute part of it to the news media.

Just before midnight, soprano Miriam Gauci and tenor Joseph Calleja will sing a new version of the national anthem.

Soon after, Gert Hof will step in and create what is known as a light monument - a blend of lights and fireworks - accompanied by music from a new opera penned by the legendary Roger Waters, former frontman for Pink Floyd.

Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said it was worth noting that May 1 represented the biggest enlargement of the EU, and it was therefore only fitting that many countries were deeming the day as a "celebration of Europe".

Pointing out that the area around Valletta can take up to 80,000 people, Dr Zammit Dimech said that Friday's show was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote the island.

Asked whether there was an alternative plan in case of bad weather, Mr Bondì said that the only section, which could be somewhat effected, were the open-air live music performances. The light show over Grand Harbour will be held as planned, regardless of the weather.