Competitive touch to fireworks festival

This year's fireworks festival is going international and is the first competitive edition, with five fireworks factories from Malta, the UK and Portugal competing with their vibrant pyrotechnic displays.

Organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry and the Malta Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Malta Pyrotechnics Association, the fifth edition of the festival, or the first international event, is being held on April 29 and 30, forming part of the activities celebrating the second anniversary of Malta's accession to the EU.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival 2006 will be held in the idyllic setting of Grand Harbour, with the prime viewing point being Pinto Wharf and the Valletta Waterfront, where other entertainment activities will also be held.

The fireworks will be let off from barges located between Senglea Point and Laboratory Wharf, using computerised systems.

Three Maltese fireworks factories, St Michael's Fireworks Factory, Lija, St Mary's Fireworks Factory, Mqabba, 15th August Fireworks Factory, Mosta and two foreign companies will be competing against each other for trophies in various categories. They will be judged by a jury of international pyrotechnic professionals, with the announcement of the winners scheduled for May 1.

The public will also have the chance to vote for the display of their choice via an SMS televoting system.

Seven other local factories will be putting up traditional mechanical ground fireworks displays, and a spectacular pyro-musical display by the Italian Orzella Fireworks Company will bring the festival to a close.

Speaking at the Pin Tonino restaurant at the Valletta Waterfront, Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the festival was not only anticipated by the locals, but was also attracting tourists, as well as a group of about 20 representatives of overseas fireworks factories from as far away as the US, Canada, China and India. Considered to be a showcase for Malta, tour operators were bringing tourists over specifically for the event, he said.

Dr Zammit Dimech pointed out that the festival was held in April as a prelude to the summer festive season, which sees fireworks light up the night skies every weekend.

The fifth edition was being organised by the events section of the ministry, which brings together sections from the MTA and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, and is now handling the organisation of mass cultural and artistic events, while also working on events in partnership with the private sector.

Admission to the enclosed area at Pinto Wharf costs Lm3 (seated) and Lm1.50 (standing). Tickets are available from the Valletta Waterfront on 2125 2610 or via marketing@visetplc.com.