This year’s Valletta Pageant of the Seas promises to be a unique spectacle in the Grand Harbour with 1,000 artists taking part.
The programme teems with daytime activities such as competitive races, visual demonstrations and water acts and a colourful celebration by night.
The public is invited to take part in L-Għawma Toni Bajada, a swimming activity which will see participants swim across the Grand Harbour from Fort St Angelo towards Valletta.
This swim celebrates the legendary hero of the Great Siege of 1565 – a historical figure who was known to relay important information he managed to gather from the Ottomans to the Knights.
Those interested in participating are invited to register themselves at Barriera Wharf, next to the old fish market (Il-Pixkerija) tomorrow at 4pm.
The Grand Entry will open the afternoon activities at 5.30pm. It is an epic pageant during which the grandmaster, together with In Guardia, will enter the Grand Harbour on the Fernandes which will be decorated for the occasion, while accompanied by a number of private boats.
Wearing their finest uniforms, In Guardia will accompany the grandmaster on his arrival in the Grand Harbour, while setting the scene for the rest of the event.
A number of competitive races will also be held.
A regatta will also be happening, during which both Maltese and international rowers will be racing from the Old Customs House to Ras Ħanżir and back. The winning team will receive the Palju de Vallette – a black banner designed by Antoine Farrugia, adorned with baroque decorations representing each of the seven districts and boats taking part in the regatta.
More than 20 participants will be using their creativity to create their own rafts, which will be raced in Tellieqa Telliqun, a fun race consisting of rafts created using various recycled materials, without the help of motors or oars, while 12 Chaudron powerboats will also be presenting their own choreography.
At night, Grand Harbour will be transformed into a stage with a show based on Malta’s Neolithic history on one of the largest barges that ever entered the harbour.
The event will also include a show by La Fura Dels Baus. The Spanish team took part in the opening of Valletta 2018 in January with a performance at the Tritons Fountain Square.
The narrative is inspired by the relationship that exists between the Maltese and the sea and will come to life thanks to Maltese participants who have worked hand in hand with the Barcelona-based group.
The group’s philosophy is centred around redefining spaces by using non-conventional ones; a quality which will emerge during the show.
The Grand Harbour will also see a record-breaking fireworks ball. The ball, produced by the Żurrieq St Catherine’s Fireworks Factory, has a diameter of 135cm, breaking the national record currently held by a 96.5cm-diameter ball done two years ago by the same fireworks factory. This ball will form part of a larger pyrotechnic show consisting of aerial fireworks as well as fireworks rigged in the water and synchronised with music, with the participation of the Qormi St George’s Fireworks Factory and the Qrendi Independent Fireworks Factory.
After sundown, the harbour will be animated with projections on a water curtain, a pageant of more than 20 sailing boats decorated with flags and fairy lights, and a preview of the upcoming original musical opera Aħna Refuġjati.
Traffic arrangements
Although the show will be visible from many areas around the Grand Harbour, the public is encouraged to watch from Valletta.
Roads between Evans Building and Crucifix Hill (next to Valletta Waterfront) will be closed for traffic (except for residents) between 9am and 1am (Friday).
The Valletta Pageant of the Seas is being held tomorrow from 5.30pm onwards. The event is being organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation. For more information, visit http://valletta2018.org .