A list of festas (religious feasts) held during the summer of 2004, may be found here.
AUGUST 2004
International Summer Festival by the Stradivari Season
Until 25 August 2004
A series of musical events not to be missed, organised in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. Ticket hotlines: 99457126, 79262391, 99864967. Prices: Lm 10, Lm 8, Lm 5 and Lm 3. Golden Circle tickets including glass of wine: Lm 15. Transport will be provided for tourists to and from their hotel for Lm 1. Seat reservation to be made at time of booking concert tickets. More information from email: stradivari@global.net.mt or website: www.stradivariseason.com.
Monday Nite live
Until 27 September 2004
Featuring singer William Mangion and other local musicians and dancers at St Georges Complex in St Julians. More information from tel. no: 21 353222 or email: elitefood@onvol.net.
The Art of Pain
Until 05 July 2005
Exhibition on torture instruments hosted by Heritage Malta. The exhibition, which is usually displayed at the Torture Museum of San Gimignano in Siena, Italy, will be set up at the Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa and will be of the duration of one year starting from July 2004. The main objective of this exhibition is that of launching a message against torture. More information from website: www.heritagemalta.org.
Delicata Classic Wine Festival
06 - 08 August 2004
At the UpperBarakkaGardens in Valletta. Those who wish to sample the wines on offer may buy an official festival glass which they then can keep as a souvenir. During the festival, there will also be live entertainment and a variety of food to choose from, as well as a re-enactment of the ancient craft of grape crushing. The Festival will also be held in Gozo on the 28th and 29th August. More information from email: info@delicata.com. Supported by the MTA.
Cisk Export Tribu Festival
15 August 2004
Music festival organised by Exit Malta. More information from website: www.exitmalta.com.
Etnikafe 04, The GiantIsland
27 – 29 August 2004
The summer event by Malta's fabulous folk band, Etnika. The spectacle takes the audience on a mystical journey to the island's most secret abodes, where fantasy meets folk tales. Etnikafe 04 will take place at St. John's Ditch, Valletta between the 27thand 29th August. Tickets cost Lm 6.00. More information from email: etnika@di-ve.com.
SEPTEMBER 2004
Malta International Airshow
25 - 26 September 2004
The 12th edition of the Malta International Airshow will provide a unique opportunity for the general public to have access to some of the airfield ramps, view the aircraft and chat with the pilots. There will be flying displays by civil and military aircraft, including parachute teams, as well as a static display of various types of aircraft. This event will take place at the Luqa Airfield. More information from tel. no: 21 444089, email: info@maltairshow.com or website: www.maltairshow.com.
World Tourism Day
27 September 2004
The Malta Tourism Authority co-ordinates a programme of activities, together with partner organisations, on behalf of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture. More information on email: info@mta.com.mt.
OCTOBER 2004
The Malta Historic Cities Festival
07 - 17 October 2004
Please click here.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race
20 – 23 October 2004
The 25th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on the 20th October 2004 from the waters opposite the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney - Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a "must do" race. More information from tel. no: 21 33310, email: info@rmyc.org or website: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com.
Mediterranea Festival
28 October - 07 November 2004
Mediterranea is a festival of culture on the island of Gozo, Malta. This Festival is a showcase of the artistic heritage and the contemporary cultural milieu of this tiny island in the centre of the Mediterranean. The festival intends to bring the visitor in close contact with an uninterrupted evolution of culture spanning seven millennia - starting with the unparalelled Prehistoric Temple Culture down to the contemporary artists and the arts. More information from tel. no: 21550985, email: info@mediterranea.com.mt or website: www.mediterranea.com.mt. Supported by the MTA.Ontario cottage rental
NOVEMBER 2004
The Malta International Choir Festival
08 – 12 November 2004
Please click here.
DECEMBER 2004
Snow White
26 – 30 December 2004
Christmas pantomime by the MADC at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. Booking from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, tel. no. 21 246389, fax no. 21 237340, email:bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt. More information from website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mtand www.madc.biz.
JANUARY 2005
Snow White
02 - 09, 12 - 16 January 2005
Christmas pantomime by the MADC at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. Booking from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, tel. no. 21 246389, fax no. 21 237340, email:bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt. More information from website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mtand www.madc.biz.
FEBRUARY 2005
Carnival Week
03 – 08 February 2005
A series of colourful events, concentrated in Valletta organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. The Malta Carnival is organised by the National Folklore Committee within the The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Room 109, Ministry of Education, Floriana, Malta; tel. nos: +356 21249274 / 21247241, fax: +356 21249274 and email: antonmiceli@maltaculture.com. For more information on Carnival in Malta and Gozo, please click here. Supported by the MTA.
'1565' (Musical)
10 – 13 February 2005
A musical production
by Masquerade Theatre Company at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, supported by the MTA.
Newly joined to the Order of Saint John, Henrí is a young knight who has much to learn. He and his friend Alessandro regard life as many of their noble companions do - a continuous banquet of adventure, women, and wine.However the siege of 1565 soon makes them grow up much faster than they would have otherwise preferred. Henrí’s love for Anna, the enchanting local commoner, and his subsequent realisation of the sheer hopelessness of their situation forces him to make some very harsh decisions, and eventually, to make the ultimate sacrifice.ACER TRAVELMATE 3204XMI REPLACEMENT LAPTOP LCD SCREEN
Is it possible for love and life to flourish when all is overwhelmed by carnage and death? 1565 gives you an intimate view of the Great Siege of Malta through the eyes of these three youngsters who got hopelessly entangled in the ferocious tumult of history.
More information from email: info@masquerademalta.com and website: www.masquerademalta.com.
Malta Marathon
27 February 2005
An annual event where hundreds of local and foreign athletes take part. More information from postal address: POBOX 9, Hamrun, Malta, fax: (0356) 21432402, email: info@maltamarathon.com.mt and website: www.maltamarathon.com.mt. Supported by the MTA.
MARCH 2005
BOV Opera Festival
16 – 23 March 2005
16, 18 March – ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by C F Gounod, based on text by William Shakespeare as adapted by Barbier and Carré with tenor Joseph Calleja and soprano Tatiana Lisnic; 19 March – ‘The Festival Concert’; 22, 23 March – ‘Il Matrimonio Segreto’ by Domenico Cimarosa at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. Booking from from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, tel. no. 21 246389, fax no. 21 237340, email: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt. More information from website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.
Holy Week
20 – 27 March 2005
In contrast to the revelry of colourful Carnival, Holy Week in Malta is rather solemn and sombre. The celebrations are of a religious character and the Islanders flock to church in great numbers to commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Check out the events pages of visitmalta.com for more information.
APRIL 2005
Mellieha Band Festival
April 2005
A whole week of Brass Band concerts held in the quaint village of Mellieha. More information from email:festivals@plusmalta.com. Supported by the MTA.
MAY 2005
The Manoel Baroque Festival
09 – 16 May 2005
At the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. Booking from from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, tel. no. 21 246389, fax no. 21 237340, email: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt. More information from website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.
Maltese Folk Singing Festival
Third weekend of May 2005
Held at ArgottiGardens and includes the participation of foreign folk singing groups. Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. More information from tel. no: 21 245168. Supported by the MTA.
Great Spring Flower Show
May 2005
Held at San Anton Gardens and organised by the Malta Horticultural Society. The show opens to the public on a Saturday at 14.00 until 22.00 hrs and continues the following Sunday from 08.00 until 21.00 hrs. Exhibitions of local crafts, ballet dancing and beekeeping demonstrations are held in the garden during the show. Entrance fee is 50 cents for adults and is free for children under 12. More information from Palazzo de la Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta, tel. no: 21 244339 or fax: 21 246074. Supported by the MTA.Protection electromagnetic radiation
JUNE 2005
Festa Season
The festa (feast) is a commemoration to the saints and is celebrated annually by the respective towns and villages of Malta and Gozo. Apart from the church services, the celebrations are highlighted by outdoor festivities, mainly in the form of band marches and spectacular fireworks displays. The Parish Churches are embellished with damask and silverware and the climax of each festa is the pontifical High Mass celebrated in the mornings (09.15 hrs) and evenings (19.00 hrs). A religious procession ensues whereby the statue of the patron saint is carried shoulder-high through the streets. The feasts continue throughout the summer months starting on Wednesday and ending on Sunday, with the festa season being heralded by the feast of St Publius in Floriana on April 13 and coming to an end in September. Information about all feasts and feast days is available from Tourist Information Centres in Malta and Gozo or click here.
MnarjaCelebrations
Feast of St Peter and St Paul – Public Holiday(29 June)
Mnarja is a traditional folkloristic event. The word ‘Mnarja’ is derived from ‘Luminarja’ (illumination), when Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, used to be illuminated by bonfires for the occasion. The festivities start on the eve of Mnarja (28 June) with open-air folk singing and an agricultural show which starts at 17.00 hrs and ends at . An exhibition of Traditional Crafts is also held at 19.00 hrs. On the 29 June, activities at Buskett continue with band marches and a livestock competition between 07.30 and 11.30 hrs. During the afternoon, traditional horse races are held at Saqajja Hill in Rabat. Events organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. More information from tel. no: 21 245168.
Mnarja Agricultural Show and Folk Festival
28, 29 June 2005
The show is organised by the Agrarian Society and held at BuskettGardens on the 28th June from 17.00 until 24.00 hrs and on the 29th June from 07.30 hrs until 13.00hrs. The Folk Festival is organised by the National Commission for Folklore. Entrance is free.
JULY 2005
Malta
International Jazz Festival
15 – 17 July 2005
Jazz enthusiasts and music lovers can look forward to this year’s edition of this high-flying event. Top musicians in the field ranging from Chick Corea, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al di Meola, Mike Stern and other award winning performers, have starred in past editions and contributed to the quality standing that the festival enjoys today. The historical locations of Ta’ Liesse in Valletta
, as well as the summer ambience, contribute towards making this a festival that simply cannot be missed. Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. More information on tel. no. 21 245168, email: info@maltajazzfest.comor website: www.maltajazzfest.com. For more information on events organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts in 2005, please click here.
AUGUST 2005
Delicata Classic Wine Festival
05 – 07, 27 – 28 August 2005
At the UpperBarakkaGardens in Valletta between the 5th and 7th August and Nadur, Gozo between the 27th and 28th August. Those who wish to sample the wines on offer may buy an official festival glass which they then can keep as a souvenir. During the festival, there will also be live entertainment and a variety of food to choose from. Supported by the MTA. More information from email: info@delicata.com.
Mgarr festival
07 August 2005
Bee-keeping, honey production, olive oil production and much more. More information may be obtained from the Mgarr Local Council, Malta on tel. no: 21 520011, email: mgarr.lc@gov.mt and website: www.mgarr.com.mt.
Etnikafe 2005
End of August 2005
The summer event by Malta's fabulous folk band, Etnika. More information from email: etnika@di-ve.com.
SEPTEMBER 2005
Malta International Airshow
24 – 25 September 2005
Held at Luqa airfield.. This year, the airshow will be a grand commemoration of the end of World War II and a high number of surviving veterans who served in Malta will be present for the event. The show should also see the participation of at least one Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft. More information from websites: www.battleformaltareunion.freeserves.com and www.maltairshow.com or emails: info@maltairshow.com and reachair@keyworld.net.
World Tourism Day
27 September 2005
The Malta Tourism Authority co-ordinates a programme of activities, together with partner organisations, on behalf of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture. More information on email: info@mta.com.mt.
OCTOBER 2005
Malta Historic Cities Festival
06 – 16 October 2005
A festival full of history, heritage, pageantry, re-enactments, folklore, music and dance. Organised by the Malta Tourism Authority. More information from Tourist Information Offices, tel. no. 21 237747 and email: events@visitmalta.com.
Festival Mediterranea
27 October - 06 November 2005
Fourth edition of this festival of culture on the island of Gozo. The festival is a showcase of the artistic heritage and the contemporary cultural setting of this tiny island in the centre of the Mediterranean. The festival is organised by the Teatru Astra. More information from email info@mediterranea.com.mt or website www.mediterranea.com.mt.
NOVEMBER 2005
Malta International Choir Festival
07 – 11 November 2005
The 17th edition of this International festival featuring choirs from all over the world. Organised by the Malta Tourism Authority. Tickets from Tourist Offices, Valletta, MaltaInternationalAirport and Mgarr and Victoria, Gozo. More information from email: events@visitmalta.com.
Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting
25 – 28 November 2005
Some 800 delegates along with up to 1,200 journalists, and another 500 - 600 officials from NGOs will be in Malta.
