It is an unarguable fact that the Malta Tourism Authority are responsible for a great many happenings and events in our islands each year. So, when they get the opportunity to offload a few onto the shoulders of other entities, they accept readily. Assuming that the entities concerned are capable of taking on the events. The local councils of Vittoriosa and Mdina are most definitely two such bodies and their organisational abilities are considerable.
In past years there has been an Mdina festival at this time of the year, but sadly this year they are foregoing the occasion. When we enquired why this was, a representative of Mdina local council explained that since Notte Bianca will be taking place over the weekend of October 4 and 5, it would be prudent to withdraw the festival from this year's schedule.
However the celebrations in Vittoriosa will happily be going ahead as usual two weeks from now. The progressive and very likeable John Boxall is the mayor of Vittoriosa and he and his fellow councillors organise - what has become - an annual red-letter day in the town's calendar, which is known as Birgu by Candlelight. This entails not only a considerable amount of work by Mr Boxall and his council, but also the cooperation of the entire population of Vittoriosa. Practically all of them place candles etc outside their houses and in the windows at this time.
It's fair to say that residents of this - one of the oldest and most fascinating areas in Malta - are fiercely proud of their town and they go to enormous lengths to ensure that it looks its very best for the occasion.
This month Birgu by Candlelight will take place on October 17 and 18. Visitors to Vittoriosa can stroll through the ancient streets after dark in the warm glow of thousands of candles and torches.
These are lit on, in and around the buildings and impart a warm honey coloured glow to the whole area. It is a truly magical sight and shows up the old town to its very best advantage.
A stroll through the streets and alleys of Vittoriosa at Birgu by Candlelight is also of course a considerable tourist attraction and the town is filled with both foreign tourists and visitors from all over the Maltese Islands.
In past years there has been an Mdina festival at this time of the year, but sadly this year they are foregoing the occasion. When we enquired why this was, a representative of Mdina local council explained that since Notte Bianca will be taking place over the weekend of October 4 and 5, it would be prudent to withdraw the festival from this year's schedule.
However the celebrations in Vittoriosa will happily be going ahead as usual two weeks from now. The progressive and very likeable John Boxall is the mayor of Vittoriosa and he and his fellow councillors organise - what has become - an annual red-letter day in the town's calendar, which is known as Birgu by Candlelight. This entails not only a considerable amount of work by Mr Boxall and his council, but also the cooperation of the entire population of Vittoriosa. Practically all of them place candles etc outside their houses and in the windows at this time.
It's fair to say that residents of this - one of the oldest and most fascinating areas in Malta - are fiercely proud of their town and they go to enormous lengths to ensure that it looks its very best for the occasion.
This month Birgu by Candlelight will take place on October 17 and 18. Visitors to Vittoriosa can stroll through the ancient streets after dark in the warm glow of thousands of candles and torches.
These are lit on, in and around the buildings and impart a warm honey coloured glow to the whole area. It is a truly magical sight and shows up the old town to its very best advantage.
A stroll through the streets and alleys of Vittoriosa at Birgu by Candlelight is also of course a considerable tourist attraction and the town is filled with both foreign tourists and visitors from all over the Maltese Islands.