Count Roger the Norman re-visits Mdina

About 100 actors will re-live the arrival of Count Roger in Mdina on Sunday as part of the Historic Cities Festival.

The event will be staged at 11 a.m. in Cathedral Square.

The attack by the count and his troops on Malta in July 1091 is narrated by Goffredo Malaterra, the count's chronicler. This is how the story goes.

The Normans, conquerors of France, England and Italy had just conquered Sicily from Arab and Byzantine rule. Count Roger plundered the island and advanced on to Mdina, where his army met no resistance. The Arab leaders surrendered their weapons and were made to pledge their allegiance to the new overlords.

This military force was welcomed by a multitude of captive Christians, some of whom they took back to Sicily with them. According to Malaterra, the Christian captives chanted the Kyrie Eleyson, "Lord have mercy on us", in praise of their liberation.

On Saturday and Sunday morning, battle skirmishes will be re-enacted in Bastion Square, Mdina by the Swords of Dumnonia mediaeval re-enactors from the UK. A band of street actors and minstrels from Sicily, La Giostra, will also be in attendance. The Norman House Courtyard in Villegaignon Street will serve as location for an animated period scene.

More information about the festival, including its highlight, the Valletta Military Tattoo, can be obtained from the Malta Tourism Authority centres on 2369 6073/4; 2138 1392 or via e-mail at events@ visitmalta.com.