Valletta: <i>Nessun dorma</i>

Heavy rainfall yesterday morning did not dampen people's enthusiasm for Valletta's first ever Notte Bianca - Lejl Imdawwal, with thousands thronging the city for a celebration of arts and culture, which continued well into the early hours. It was truly a case of Nessun dorma (let no one sleep)!

On show was Valletta's rich heritage and a potent cocktail of music, dance, drama, film, art and cuisine at practically every corner.

Shops, theatres, restaurants, museums, churches, even the Prime Minister's Office at the Auberge de Castille, kept their doors open till early morning as thousands of Maltese became tourists in their own capital city, admiring exhibitions and activities which normally only attract foreigners.

St James Cavalier Centre of Creativity hosted master classes by internationally acclaimed musicians, with the main focus being on Mozart interpretation, while the Manoel Theatre presented ballet and a Mozart evening.

St Michael's Bastion featured Junior City, which included educational, entertaining and interactive acts by the Italian Camillo Clown, the Euro Academy Youth Orchestra, directed by Manoel Pirotta, and popular Maltese comedian, Chrysander, on centre stage.

More artists commanded audiences at Palazzo De La Salle, the Vee Gee Bee Art Gallery and the Opera House ruins, the ruins also providing the backdrop for Se Tu Ti Formi Pesce, an Italian theatrical ensemble and concerts by Tribali.

Other artists roaming the streets including juggler Antonio Carnemolla, Mary Von Rooy with the terramaxka, stiltwalkers, poi dancers, ghannejja, human statues and Camillo Clown.

The City Lights cinemas came to life again with an all-night short films festival featuring films from around the world.

An exotic touch from the island of Bali was created by actor, dancer and director Enrico Masseroli and his theatre in a fusion of ancient, rich, dramatic styles and modern creations in colourful traditional costumes at Palazzo Parisio in Merchants Street.

A medieval banquet was held at Merchants Street and visitors could follow on the theme by visiting Casa Rocca Piccola, which like other museums stayed open late.

Miltiary Tattoo

The Military Tattoo at St George's Square proved to be a popular draw, with the participating bands including the Gloucestershire Corps of Drums and the Concord Drum and Bugle Corps from England, the Tannoura Whirling Dervishes Troupe from Egypt, the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri from Italy, the Malta Police Precision Team, the Malta Police Canine Section, the Malta Police Band and the Armed Forces of Malta Band.

Several sports activities were organised at St Albert the Great College in Old Bakery Street, while in Treasury Street, one could watch Scot Marilyn Hodgson demonstrating her particular technique of structuring a portrait in clay.

The Denner Clarinet Quartet played at the National Museum of Archaeology while the popular choir Voices gave a concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Creative artist Gaspare Di Caro gave beauty to City Gate, which he illuminated with colours of light.

At Freedom Square, the Teatro La Madrugada paraded music arrangements and a concert was given by contemporary violinist Simon Vella.

Writers, artists and musicians from Malta, Wales, Finland and Latvia took part in a Literature Across Frontiers activity at the Manoel Theatre.

The resident choir of St John's Co-Cathedral - the Collegium Musicum Malta and the Gukulari Ensemble, a group dedicated to the revival of Maltese music and traditional Maltese instruments performed at Auberge d'Italie.

At Popular Bar(n) in Old Market Square in Merchants Street one could watch a host of characters, headed by a sprightly jester, give a lively performance. A Maltese folk evening was held at the Lower Barracca Gardens.

The Contact Dance Company premiered three new works at the Mediterranean Institute Theatre Programme in St Christopher Street and later the Stage Breeze Theatre Group presented Ritmatti, an original experimental devised performance.

Throughout the night, music was provided at the Upper Barracca Gardens by Ja-Po-Ro-Se.

The Grand Master and his entourage toured the streets of Valletta in all their grandeur and an entertaining fashion parade set within the history of the island was held at Hastings Gardens.

Religion also featured, with a youth Mass at St Augustine's parish church in Old Bakery Street. Also for the young and young at heart was the Super Young Show, which included dance, song and comedy at St Michael's Bastion.

And the youth choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate gave a concert in the courtyard of the Auberge de Castille.

Another concert at the Auberge de Castille was given by the Saxophone Quartet and on Great Siege Square Hilarious Carnival presented several Carnival dances, a static Venetian costume exhibition and a display by Camillo Clown.

At the main hall of the National Library in Treasury Street there was an experimental literary presentation by Verbimnara, featuring two readers and two musicians performing in the same space but without visual contact.

The play Some Explicit Polaroids, produced by Unifaun Theatre Production, was also performed at St James Cavalier.

Several other activities and tours were held throughout the night and many people were heard voicing their hopes that such events would start being held more frequently.