What a night!

Preparations are under way for the capital city to host the second edition of Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal, which, with 88 activities by over 430 artistes and 90 entities in 64 spaces, promises to be "bigger and better" than last year.

Through the large-scale cultural and artistic event on the night between 6 p.m. tomorrow and dawn on Sunday, the public can access doors that are usually closed at that time, including those to museums, palaces and auberges, which are also being illuminated to highlight interesting perspectives of their architecture.

Parliament, in the President's Palace, and its State Rooms, will also be opened to the public, with MPs welcoming guests, and the armoury, for example, will be accessible at a reduced price, the event's artistic director, Mary Ann Cauchi, said.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg and visitors to the World Heritage city are sure to be spoilt for choice through the all-night celebration of arts and culture with a contemporary trend.

The extensive programme of Notte Bianca has been distributed to most households in Malta and Gozo and visitors are being encouraged to plan the events they want to attend in order to make the most of the night. Information stations at City Gate and Merchants Street are being set up to assist visitors and distribute programmes.

Among Notte Bianca's highlights are Demo Morselli and his Big Band Orchestra, renowned for their participation in the Maurizio Costanzo Show on Italian TV's Canale 5, at the Royal Opera House ruins. JaPoRoSeT concerts - jazz, pop, rock, folk and soul - will be held at St George's Square, and the Freddie Mizzi Big Band will perform at Great Siege Square. Renzo Spiteri, Walter Vella and Mark Attard will give three performances at the Manoel Theatre from 7.30 p.m. onwards.

Freedom Square will be hosting one of the largest spectacles ever, according to Ms Cauchi. It-Taqbida is a synergy of 24 Maltese and Italian artistes from the Cooperativa Atmo and Accademia dei Remoti, who are putting up a battle spectacular of aerial work, fire, music and drama. Structures were being placed on the roof of St James Cavalier yesterday so the performers could descend to the square.

Hastings Gardens will be hosting Dancescape, while a display, Re-processed, of contemporary visual installations by various artists is being assembled at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Ministries are forming the backdrop to several activities, including performances and exhibitions, while entities such as the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce, the School of Art, the Chamber of Commerce, the Aula Magna at the Foundation for International Studies, MITP, the China and Russian cultural centres, the Italian Cultural Institute, chapels, churches and other places of interest will be opening their doors to activities.

A series of cultural tours, including the Children's City Tour, Palaces and Auberges, Movies City and the popular Courtesans in the City, will be held, leading the public to unusual, hidden areas, while parades are to take place in the main streets and squares.

Building on past experiences, the organisers are ensuring that ample catering and beverage outlets would be available, Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said, speaking during a walkabout in the baroque capital yesterday. He invited outlets - not just catering - to remain open.

Prime public transport routes are operating, at least, until 3.30 a.m. - at normal fares up to 10 p.m. and 50c per person afterwards - and the service may be extended if required. A free circular service for persons with disability and the elderly by Razzett tal-Hbiberija will also be operating throughout the night within the perimeters of Valletta from Ordinance Street, while the ferry service from Sliema and Vittoriosa will be shuttling to Valletta.

Organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Notte Bianca is sponsored by the National Lotteries for Good Causes Fund of the Finance Ministry, the Malta Tourism Authority, HSBC Bank Malta plc, Cisk, Nexos Lighting Technology, DJS Trading, Kinnie and Vodafone Malta Ltd. It is supported by the Valletta local council and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

Further details can be obtained from www.nottebiancamalta.com, while enquiries can be made on tel. 9966 8833, or via e-mail info@nottebiancamalta.com