Flower and pageantry festival to be held at Mdina

The ancient city of Mdina is to be brought alive at the Medieval Mdina Flower and Pageantry festival on April 18 and 19.

The silent city will provide a romantic backdrop for this festival, which will incorporate re-enactments with the participation of local and foreign groups.

Some of the piazzas and main streets will be decorated with flower arrangements and plants with flowers will be placed in open balconies. The walls of the bridge of Vilhena Gate will be dressed with flowers and bay leaf decorations will grace the main gate and pedestals both outside the gate as well as in St Publius’ Square.

Some of the chapels will also be decorated with flowers. Plant pots will be placed along main areas and two garden shops will display their products in St Pauls Square and Bastions Square.

All flowers to be used in the festival are locally grown and two garden shops will be responsible for the city’s transformation.

Activities will include jousting tournaments, displays of birds of prey, medieval football competitions and human chess challenges.

Medieval knights, medieval interactive games, colourful characters, demonstrations on the use of medieval weaponry and armour will liven the streets, together with displays of costumes, a falconry demonstration, exhibitions and artists at work.

Traditional medieval food will be available in the ditch area and in most of the catering establishments in the city. An abundance of wine will be available in stalls around the city.

The festival is being organised by the Mdina council in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and other entities. It will run from10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There will be a park and ride system from the parking space next to the picnic area at Ta’ Qali to Greek’s Gate at Mdina and vice versa.