OCT/NOV 2009issue #023

Events and initiatives supported by the Malta Tourism Authority

The Malta Tourism Authority promotes numerous events throughout the calendar year to further promote Malta's image as the Island with so much happening.

Malta International Airshow

The 17th edition of the Malta International Airshow took place at the end of September over the Malta International Airport Airspace.

The Airshow also hosts a static display of military and civilian planes from around the world. In fact 155 foreign participants were involved in the show, consisting of pilots, ground crew and support staff. They originated from France, Holland Germany, Greece, Italy, UK and the USA. In addition a 120 Maltese also took part in one way or another.

Around 23,000 people visited the airshow over the weekend and coould be seen with faces turned upwards gazing at the awe inspiring performances by the aircraft. The definite highlights of the show were the Breitling Display Team who combined the daring with a touch of elegance in their show, and the bright orange Dutch F16.

The organising committee also assisted the MTA with two foreign TV stations, one from Germany and one from Hungary, resulting in the video above, shown to millions in Germany.

Birgufest another resounding success

BirguFest 2009, organized by Birgu Local Council, was a success in every way. The three-day long festival, held in the medieval city of Vittoriosa brought together several thousands of people from around the world to enjoy both the rich culture and the historical heritage of the unique city as well as the high quality programme of entertainment offered by both local and foreign performers.

The first day of the festival kicked off with the popular and educational historical re-enactments, which attracted around 2,000 pupils. Spectators of all ages had the opportunity to experience epoch-making moments of the 16th century in the imposing surroundings offered by the bastions and auberges. In addition people had a brilliant opportunity to visit the gorgeous, old buildings in Vittoriosa, such as the Church of St. Lawrence and the Inquisitor’s Palace.

The city became even more colourful and alive in the evening, with the street decorations, exhibitions and traditional food and drink stalls spread out all over Vittoriosa. However, the highlights of the evening were the musical spectacles: in the main square the Drop-out Band took to the stage and Tribali performed in the Coronation Garden, which was breathtakingly beautiful as it was specially lit up for the occassion.

On Saturday the festival continued with music throughout the day, when the ”Massed Band” formed by ”The Wallace Pipes and Drums Band” from Malta together with the “Jura Pipes and Drums Band” from Switzerland filed through the squares and streets. The festive atmosphere created by these bands was set to continue into the night with the highlight being the Birgu by Candlelight, with the streets, squares and fortifications decorated with thousands of candles. W ith the electricity turned off and all the candles lit, the visitors were enticed to walk through the streets and enjoy the ambience, food and drink. Music to suit many tastes and from countries like Portugal, Italy and Spain could be heard throughout the city and helped create the right atmosphere.

The weekend came to a close with choral performances by a Russian choir in the Church of the Annuciation. Birgufest 2009 is certain to have offered something for everyone

Casal Fornaro

The 2nd edition of Lejl f'Casal Fornaro took place on the 17th of October and was even bigger and more varied than the year before.

The events included the production of the Maltese loaf and various other products baked in Qormi furnaces, which today are regarded not only as traditional products, but practically as a symbol of the neighbourhood.

The event’s organisers held a number of interesting art exhibitions and organised musical entertainment, including the terramaxka, folk singing and local bands. Seven band clubs named after the Knights of St John came together for the first time and played along the streets of Qormi. Several popular Maltese and Gozitan singers and dancers performed. Feast ornaments from various villages, the works of Chev. Michael Camilleri Cauchi, were displayed and proved to be an attraction for festa enthusiasts.

The event also hosted six street theatre productions inspired by the writings of Maltese authors: George Zammit, George Mifsud Chircop, Joseph Ellul Mercer and Trevor Zahra.

Other attractions included a life-size house of sweets, as well as a huge pudding which was sold, and the proceeds donated to the charity Puttinu Cares. Food stalls sold traditional dishes including the ftira from Qormi, rabbit and pork served inside a Maltese loaf and other food linked to the culture of Qormi. A variety of Maltese wines and traditional sweets were also on sale. A group of bakers from the neighbouring island of Sicily were also invite to take part and provided the public with a variety of bread.

Anyone walking along the streets of Qormi where the festival was being held was likely to have come across exhibitions including a wartime shelter beneath what was the local armoury. One could also see traditional crafts and elderly Qormi people who exhibited fretwork, metal flower sculptures and lacework.

Malta Military Tattoo 2009

The 6th editon of the Malta Military Tattoo took place on the 10th and 11th of October, at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC) for the 3rd year running. This guarantees that the show marches on regardless of the weather.

In total, 158 foreign participants from the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, England and Wales took part, besides the presence of the Maltese. A total of around 5,000 people packed the MFCC during the two performances; of which the organisers estimate that approximately 45% were foreigners. The entire show was a resounding success, however, judging from the audiences’ response, it seemed that the gymnastics group Talentholdet from Denmark and the Grenadiers and Rifles Military Band from the Netherlands, were the ones which received the most applause. The Malta Police and the Armed Forces of Malta Bands, as always, were also very well received.

The Malta Military Tattoo attracted the attention of foreign tattoo organiser Mr. Reimers, who is responsible for the organisation of Germany's top, tattoo - The Bremen Military Tattoo – and who was present on Saturday 10th October. Members from The Ministero della Finanza Military Band were also present in the audience on Saturday. The group of 25 top ranking officers which was headed by Dott. Paolo Colombo flew over specifically for the Malta Military Tattoo to experience the event, as they are interested in participating in the 2010 edition.

The feedback about the event was very positive. Complimentary and encouraging comments were recieved not only from the foreign and local participating bands and groups but from members of the audience who hailed from as far afield as the USA and Canada.

The Malta Military Tattoo is now an established feature of Malta’s calendar of events for Ocotber and is supported by the Malta Tourism Authority. In fact the 7th edition of the Tattoo will be held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October 2010, again at the MFCC.

Notte Bianca 2009

The 2009 edition of the Notte Bianca, held on the 3rd October was certainly a night to remember, with over 180 events in 83 different venues there was certainly no shortage of things to see and do! A fact attested to by an estimated 60,000 vistors who made the trip to Valletta to enjoy what has become a much awaited annual national event.

A vast array of events of all genres were put on to ensure that there was something to suit the tastes of all. For the classically inclined a ‘Night at the Opera’ staged at the Manoel theatre surely went down a treat, whereas ‘The Magic of the Night’ at the City Theatre had the audience well entertained, as did the theatrical production Corto Maltese. However, if theatre was not your thing, various dance productions could be followed on a number of stages and throughout the streets of Valletta. Guided tours of the ancient city were available following various themes and to add to the colour and bustle of such an event a band with 500 musicians meandered through the streets of Valletta. Music lovers could enjoy performances of pop, rock, latin, jazz, country and chamber music.

The Notte Bianca, being Malta’s largest cultural event in the calendar, could certainly not forgo the setting up of various art exhibitions and celebrating Maltese cultural heritage, in fact 6 different performances depicting 200 years of Maltese literature were staged.

As has become customary in the ‘Notte’ various museums were open late and places of interest not ordinarily accessible to the public could be visited. From statistics submitted to the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 6 venues attracted a total of just over 17,000 visitors, with the Staterooms being the star of the night, with 6,071 visitors, the newly re-opened War Museum was also well attended.

The public transport arrangements were very well recieved having made getting to the event more convenient. In addition, the general feedback and press coverage were overwhemingly positive and guarantees that next year’s Notte Bianca will be eagerly awaited.

More details are available on the website www.nottebiancamalta.com

Pipworth Primary School Children’s visit

In late September, 8 boys and girls from Pipworth Community Primary School in Sheffield, were hosted by the Malta Tourism Authority for a jam packed week long visit to the Islands.

This visit arose through the ‘visitmalta’ sponsorship of Sheffield United FC, who boast of a strong community programme, in which the MTA was happy to be involved. The children got to enjoy not just sun and sea but also got a taste of Maltese history and culture.

The programme which was tailored for the children by the MTA’s hospitality division, included a day trip by boat around Malta, a tour of Valletta with stops at the Archeology Museum and the Malta Experience and another of Mdina and its environs. The children had a lovely holiday with plenty of time to enjoy the sea, have fun at a water park and to relax in addition to the dose of history an culture.

The World's Strongest Man - Malta 2009

After an absence of 10 years the World’s Strongest Man competition was once again held in Malta. In a competition spread over 10 days, 30 of the world’s strongest men competed in events set to showcase their phenomenal strength with one winner ultimately being chosen.

This competition is watched by 85 million people across 70 countires, was staged in some of Malta’s most picturesque locations; the Valletta and Birgu waterfronts, Golden Bay, Fort St Elmo and Wied iz-Zurrieq, thus exposing some of Malta’s most beautiful and historic locations world wide.

The qualifiers were held between the 26th and 29th of September and consisted of 10 events, such as lifting cannon balls, anchors, pulling of trucks as well as squats and deadlifts with huge weight loads!

After this set of qualifying events, the finals took place between the 1st and 3rd of October with the most spectacular event most certainly being the Plane Pull held at the Malta International Airport on October 1st. The Car Deadlift Hold, however, held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on October 3rd, was no less a jaw-dropping spectacle of strength.

This partypoker.com World’s Strongest Man competition was supported by the Malta Toursim Authority.

Rolex Middle Sea Race – 30th Edition

The 16th of October saw the start of the 30th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which came to an end on the 24th October. The prize giving ceremony was held in the Sacra Infermeria at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Top prize of the event, the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy and Rolex Yacht-master Chronometer for finishing first overall under IRC Handicap went to Andres Soriano, skipper and owner of the 69-foot Mills designed Alegre. The race winners were varied and from throughout the fleet. Sean Borg, aged 16 and a half, sailing on Strait Dealer was awarded the Youth Cup by Bernard Vassallo, CEO of the Malta Sports Council. Strait Dealer, as first Maltese skippered yacht across the finish, was awarded the Malta Maritime Authority Trophy by Mr Mark Portelli, Chairman of the MMA whilst Lee Satariano and Artie won the Starboard Trophy, for first Maltese boat on handicap. One of the biggest cheers of the proceedings went to Cambo III and cousins, Steven and Michael Clough who won the John Illingworth Trophy for being first boat on corrected time in the Double Handed Class, despite being last boat home more than 24-hours after the penultimate finisher. The Nations Cup went to the United Kingdom after Alegre, Rán and ICAP Leopard combined for the best three-boat score under IRC. Winner of the Boccale del Mediterraneo Trophy for top boat overall under ORC was Luna Rossa. Notable IRC Class winners were Elusive II Medbank and Arthur Podesta (Class 3), Podesta celebrating his thirtieth race in style. Anonino Fava and Velado from Marzamemi in Sicily took the laurels in Class 4, on this first Rolex Middle Sea Race venture. Matt Hardy's Nikata, which earlier in the event had taken the plaudits for best on-course menu, took home the prize for Class 2. The presentation of the RLR line honours trophy and the Malta Tourism Authority trophy for first non-Maltese yacht home to ICAP Leopard, was followed by a moving tribute by the RMYC to Paul Ripard who died earlier this year.

The 2010 Rolex Middle Sea Race will start from Grand Harbour on Saturday, 23 October 2010. For more information about the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2009 including the entry list, position reports and results please visit www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

This issue is available at: 0910.