Monday, 13th October 2008

Over 5,000 attend Malta Military Tattoo

Photo: Elite Photography.

The fifth edition of the Malta Military Tattoo thrilled over 5,000 spectators with two exciting three-hour shows at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta' Qali on Saturday and yesterday.

The first three editions were held in St George's Square, Valletta, but, in view of the risk of bad weather, the organisers opted for an indoor location for the second time running.

Alfred Busietta, from Stardom Promotion Agency Ltd, said he had worked very hard to promote the event internationally. In fact, besides many local military music enthusiasts, the crowd included large numbers of foreign guests, who came over to Malta specifically for the tattoo.

This year, the foreign line-up included the Guards ACF Band from the United Kingdom, the Bursa Mehter Ottoman Band from Turkey, the Spanish Air Force Band and the Elite Club Piruett from Estonia.

Local participation included the Wallace Pipes and Drums, the First Ħamrun Scout Band, the Malta Police Precision Team, the Malta Police Band and the Armed Forces of Malta Band.

The event next year will be held at the same venue on October 10 and 11, Mr Busietta said.

Comments

Robert Seager (on 21/10/08)

Great entertainment for the first half (we left at the interval) and thanks to Alfred for arranging my tickets.

Negative aspects were few however:
a) Seating was atrocious, I paid for 4 seats at €50 each and they were so uncomfortable that we left at the interval. I did not mind paying this price but I did expect not to have to sit sideways on my seat due to lack of legroom.
b) The fact that people who were late arriving were allowed to take their seats once the performance had started - they should have been made to stand at he side and wait for the interval.

We will endevour to return to Malta next year and attend the event but I think that we may buy 8 tickets at a cheaper price and have 2 seats each so at least our knees will not be aching by the end of the evening.

Noel Scicluna (on 15/10/08)

Can anyone tell me why the commentary was in English when the event was held for the Maltese. The organizer could have at least done both in Maltese and in English for the tourist.

Ronald cauchi (on 14/10/08)

Why play "Ode to Joy" and expect us to stand.It might be the hymn of the EU.
But the EU is not a nation but merely an association of free states. People should only stand for National anthems. And nothing else.

dennis agius (on 13/10/08)

The show was excellent as usual, the seating was very poor, as I had visited all the past performances. I had noticed at the end during the massed band and the execution of the European and the National Anthems the Malta Police Band had played the European Anthem and the Armed Forces Of Malta played the National Anthem. this was used to be performed by all the bands! Why this had happened this year? Aren't the Malta Police Force not Maltese, and that the A.F.M. Band not European? Can anybody answer?

Phil Pryce (on 13/10/08)

Outstanding evening's entertainment. Well done Alfred Busietta and all who had a hand in the planning and execution of this remarkable event. I have seen the US Marine Precision Drill Team in action in the past and I have to say that the Malta Police Precision Drill Team were a worthy equal. All the bands gave a thoroughly excellent performance, mixing traditional with contempory style, and a dash of humour thrown in for good measure. Planning an event like this is never an easy affair but it was done with skill and apparent ease. I will definitely attend next year's performance and I hope Mr Busietta can be persuaded to organise it again.

Margaret Buhagiar (on 13/10/08)

The 5 th Military tattoo another success, the bands were lovely a great evening for Band followers and Music lovers . Well done to all participants . A particular appraisal goes to the AFM band. Well done Captain Ivan Borg your band is the envy to many well done to all boys of the band especially the Drum major who led the band in an impeccable way.

Music was my first love and it will be my last

K. Grima Bezzina (on 13/10/08)

Whilst congratulating all performers, I must agree with P. Scerri with regards to the seating format. I appreciate that the view was clear, but seats were uncomfortable, especially for tall persons who had to bear with the cramped space provided. Would have expected better seating space for the price paid. On a personal note I would like to congratulate the Hamrun Scout Group for their excellent performance. As always, the band and scouters managed to excel. I look forward in seeing them participating in next years performance.

P Scerri (on 13/10/08)

A highly entertaining evening - Well done to all the participants - especially the Malta performers.
A comment however on the seating! I have attended all five editions of the Military Tattoo and whilst I agree the MFCC is more suitable, last night the seating plan was rather cramped. Please bear in mind spectators are in their seats for nearly four hours - with hardly any leg space (even for the shortest person) and its pretty impossible should someone from the middle of a row need to get up without getting the whole row up.
I feel the seating plan last year was much better and certainly more comfortable. However each year tickets get more expensive.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Thursday, December 4, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Over 5,000 attend Malta Military Tattoo

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