Open day at Malta at War Museum today

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will be holding an open day at the Malta at War Museum in Vittoriosa today to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the award of the George Cross by King George VI to Malta and her people on this day in 1942. This special event will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Malta at War Museum is located at Couvre Porte (Advanced Gate), Vittoriosa, right under the local council's offices. This popular museum focuses on the daily life of the Maltese and their defenders during World War II. It comprises a thematic display on the subject made from mainly rare and unique period memorabilia; the viewing of the wartime documentary Malta, GC and a guided tour in the vast underground air raid shelters that have recently been cleaned, reconstructed and opened to the public.

The open day will consist of guided tours, talks on wartime Malta, re-enactments of aspects from the daily life of the time and the day-long viewing of the documentary film. Guided tours in Maltese and English and film shows will run on the half hour.

As part of the same event, special hands-on sessions will be held for children. These are aimed at introducing the young to the different aspects of daily life in Malta during the Blitz. These sessions will include the handling of original artefacts from the time such as gas masks, ration coupons, uniforms and other related items along with an introduction of 'make-do and mend' crafts also from the period.

A group of wartime veterans will be in attendance to share their personal experiences with the public, especially the young. Members of the Malta Military Vehicles Club will also be exhibiting some of their restored wartime vehicles.

Malta, GC is the only purposely produced film documentary of the war in Malta. It was produced by the Crown Film Unit (CFU) in 1942 on the specific wish of King George VI who wanted documented on film the great heroism and bravery shown by the Maltese and their defenders in the face of greater adversity.

The best artistic talent of the time was roped in - Sir Laurence Olivier as narrator and Sir Arnold Bax, Master of the King's Music, as composer of the film's soundtrack. This film was completed in 1943, when it was shown all over the free world giving Malta its new name as Malta, GC. When shown in war-torn Malta it was received with great enthusiasm with many queuing for hours to see it.

The original music for this film was later presented to the people of Malta by Sir Arnold Bax and is now kept at the National Library. The film's running time is 30 minutes, to which another shorter documentary on the history of the production itself is added by FWA.

Malta, GC offers rare footage of pre-war Malta, traditional daily life of the Maltese which has since vanished and great shots of the war itself. It is certainly of great interest to all Maltese. Public libraries and schools should keep a copy.

A special licence for showing and trading this film in Malta has been obtained by FWA from the Imperial War Museum of London where the original is kept. To avoid piracy this film is only shown at the Malta at War Museum and DVD copies can only be obtained from FWA heritage sites at Lm4.99 each or by e-mail from info@wirtartna.org.

To mark the 65th anniversary of the award of the George Cross FWA will be offering a reduced entrance fee to this event of Lm2 per adult (children free). Entrance and a copy of the Malta, GC DVD will also be offered at Lm5 instead of Lm8.50.

The Malta at War Museum is run by FWA with the kind support of the Malta Tourism Authority and the Vittoriosa council.

For further details visit www.wirtartna.org.