Mdina, Rabat Festival to be held in October

The rich history of Malta's ancient capital and its suburb will be the focus of the Mdina and Rabat Festival, which will be held between October 4-6.

The festival, organised by the Malta Tourism Authority's product planning and development directorate, will consist of pageantry, musical entertainment, demonstration of crafts and military re-enactments related to the Knights of St John and the occupation of Malta by France between 1798 and 1800.

Other events will 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. This will include a marriage ceremony and the re-enactment of the slave market.

The Italian string quartet Firenza in Muzika will be performing at Vilhena Palace in Mdina on October 4 at 7.30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the spectacular Jousting Tournament at Greeks' Gate in Mdina on October 6 at 10.30 a.m. when re-enactors, dressed up in period costume and riding on horseback, will be participating in a game known as 'running the rings' where they will try to spear a number of rings hanging from a wooden pole to gain points.

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 at 4.30 p.m. This re-enactment is co-ordinated by the Historical Re-Enactment Group of Malta who, together with another 100 participants, will be creating an impressive live battle scene in full period costume.

More information may be obtained on tel. 69996074 or email events@visitmalta.com.