Wine festival launched in Qormi

A wine festival was launched in Qormi this morning in a 500-year-old building which used to be a windmill.

Men and women in traditional costume walked to the exhibition site, where an exibition of tools used by wine producers before the 50s is being held.

The exhibition also include different bottles of wine, other traditional machinery which date back to the pre-war period, and life-size mannequins. Of special interest is the old bar Ta' Kurun which revives a common scene of traditional wine bars, very common in Qormi before WWII and until the 1970s.

The festival proper, which includes a wine tasting competition, is being held next Friday and Saturday.

Three stages have been set up at the stores - one for ghana (traditional folk music), another for rock music and the main stage will feature a varied entertainment programme.

There will also be paintings, photos and statues exhibitions.

A flower arrangements competition is also being held.

The festival is being organised by the St George External Festivities Committee, the local council, the Resources Ministry and the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture.