All set for fireworks festival

The final touches for the second edition of the Malta Fireworks Festival, organised by the Malta Tourism Authority, were being made at Bezzina Shipyard, in Marsa yesterday.

The fireworks are to be let off from about six barges which were being set up throughout the night and this morning. The barges will be towed to their strategic position in the middle of Grand Harbour, said MTA festival coordinator Noel Castillo.

A fireworks display synchronised to music is being held at 10.50 p.m. tonight and is a highlight of the festival.

The festival is being held today and tomorrow evening as a preview of fireworks let off during the Maltese festa season.

During these two evenings, 15 of Malta and Gozo's fireworks factories are demonstrating their ability in the craft of fireworks displays. The Grand Harbour has been chosen as the location in view of the numerous vantage points it offers spectators, while the area around Lascaris Wharf is the focus of other activities that are taking place during the festival.

A number of pyrotechnicians from Italy, Austria and Portugal, including the organisers of the World Fireworks Championships, which are held yearly in Sanremo, Italy, have been invited to watch.

Highlights include a spectacular laser show by Sahara Studios on both evenings at 9.30 p.m., entitled The History of Malta and portraying Malta's history to the sound effects of fireworks and music.

The grand finale at 11 p.m. on Saturday involves a spectacular fireworks display by some of Malta's best pyrotechnic factories.

Part of Grand Harbour is being closed off to vessels between 7 and 11 p.m. on the days of the festival.