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.

Citta Magica

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  © 2010 - Clive Vella

Maltese Crib & Christmas Art Exhibition

On Friday 18th December the Maltese Crib and Christmas Art Exhibition was launched by Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, CEO at the Malta Tourism Authority and Mr Charles Bellia of the Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju.

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  © 2009 MTA - Jurgen Scicluna

Maltese Artisan Fair

The Artisan Fair first organised by the Malta Tourism Authority to mark World Tourism Day in September, was such a success that the initiative has been scheduled to become a monthly event.

The fair, which showcases traditional Maltese arts and crafts is being organised every first Saturday of the month in Merchants Street, in front of Auberge d'Italie. However, the January edition is taking place on the 9th January, as part of the Citta Magica.

Visitors to the fair can take the opportunity to see filigree, Maltese lace and other crafts being made on site and even purchase any of the items on display, from food to candles and miniature statues.

Nadur Christmas Market

For the fifth consecutive year the Nadur Local Council organized a Christmas Market at St. Peter & St. Paul Square under the shelter of a large tent. This event as in the past was being organized with the collaboration of the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information together with the Malta Tourism Authority through funds from the Activities Initiatives Scheme for 2010. The event which was held between the 4th and 6th December was a mixture of stands selling Christmas Decorations, food, drinks, sweets and other items and entertainment for all the family. Live entertainment with special guests; X Tend, Keith, Island Brass Band and many more entertained the numerous attendees and demonstrations by Rita Knowles, Carmen Tedesco & Fr. Charles Vella were well attended.

Rabat Gozo welcomes the New Year in style

The capital city of Gozo, Rabat, welcomed in the New Year with a parties in Independence Square and St George's Square. The event kicked off at 21.00 hrs with the entertainment and revelry going on into the early hours of 2010. The music for the party was mainly live with bands and performers such as, Airport Impressions, Carrie Haber, Melanie Zammit and her dancers, Mistaken Identity and the Gozitan Participants of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The comperes Neville Refalo and Sarah Camilleri kept the flow running and encouraged the crowds to participate and enjoy themselves.

Milied Mellieħi '09

The Mellieha Local Council has, for the second consecutive year together with local associations, organised Milied Melliehi '09. This event started on the 19th of December and ended early on Christmas Day, and the Council can proudly say that this was another success.

Everything was organised under a 65-metre tent and two other smaller ones. A six-metre Christams tree was erected in the centre of the tent and was decorated by the school children who attend the local Primary School with various paintings and other craft-work that was prepared especially for this event.

Apart from thirteen stands which were available every evening, and the whole day on Sunday, there was also a crib exhibition, where cribs of various sizes, models and made by different materials were on display. Other crafts were also on display, such as ganutell, lace-making, and patchwork. Young, talented artists were also exhibiting their works - these varied from models made out of fat, and paintings made by various mediums. Local associations took care of the food and drink during this event. They prepared food which is synonimous with Christmas such as mince pies, qaghaq tal-ghasel (Maltese honey rings), roasted chestnuts, toffee apples, christmas logs, Maltese bread pudding, spicy coffee, mulled wine and imbuljuta, a local drink which is prepared at christmastime using chestnuts and hot chocolate. Other stands prepared turkey wraps, focaccias and pork; while another one was preparing 17th century recipes and coffee cooked in the old style. Some other stands were selling second-hand books and plants, amongst other items.

On Sunday morning children were invited to have breakfast with Santa. A healthy breakfast was prepared for them and afterwards they were given presents and could also take photos with Santa.

Every evening a varied programme was presented to those present. This included various types of music where well-known singers performed in front of the crowds, traditional folklore music, band marches and dancing and singing performed by various schools of music and dancing. Every evening there was also a fire-eater show of thirty minutes performed by international artists.

On Christmas Eve, the Nativity Scene was re-enected by local people on the parish parvis. There was also the traditional procession with Baby Jesus and christmas carols were sung. At 10pm everything was stopped so that everyone could participate in the religious functions at the Parish Church. After the function, an early breakfast was served.

Winter Tastes in Mġarr

In mid December, the Mgarr local council, together with a number of restaurants and catering establishments from the area, organised this heart warming event. The food available was mainly traditional Maltese dishes using local produce.

Under the shelter of an extensive tent, the numerous crowd could sample stewed rabbit, snails, bigilla, pies and other wholesome fair to ward off the winter blues. Other stalls were selling preserves and sweets traditionally linked with Christmas, like honey rings and mince pies.

The smell of delicious food wafting through the crisp air kept the crowd flowing in to have a taste of the temptations on offer.