Mdina and Rabat Festival starts tomorrow

The Mdina and Rabat Festival, a weekend of pageantry, musical entertainment, demonstration of crafts and military re-enactments, kicks off tomorrow.

Events include the publication of the Bandu (the Town Crier heralding the events of the day), traditional song (ghana), folk dancing, and local delicacies. Street theatre will also be performed in various streets in Mdina.

The highlights of the festival will be a performance by the Italian string quartet Firenze in Muzika which will be performing at Vilhena Palace in Mdina tomorrow at 7.30 p.m., and a spectacular Jousting Tournament will be held at Greeks' Gate in Mdina on Sunday at 10.30 a.m.

The Mdina and Rabat Festival will come to an end with a re-enactment of a battle between the Napoleonic army and the Maltese insurgents at Saqqajja Hill in Rabat on Sunday at 4.30 p.m. This re-enactment is co-ordinated by the Historical Re-Enactment Group of Malta together with another 100 participants.

Parking and traffic restrictions will be in force. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the bus terminus will relocate from Saqqajja Square to Saqqajja Road. On Sunday there will also be a shuttle service for those who park at Ta' Qali.

The Mdina and Rabat festival is organised by the Malta Tourism Authority's product planning and development directorate.

More information may be obtained on tel. no. 69996074 or email events@visitmalta.com