The eighth edition of the Malta Military tattoo will be held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali on October 8 and 9.

This year, the foreign line-up will include Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force Band and First Cinque Ports Rifles Volunteer Corps of Drums, both from the UK, Pipes and Drums of Jura and Sierre Pipe Band, both from Switzerland, Scotpipe Edinburgh from Scotland and the Representative Band of the Armed Forces of Poland.

Malta will be represented by the massed Pipes and Drums Band, made up of the San Ġwann Scouts Pipes and Drums, Marsa Scouts Pipes and Drums, Żurrieq Scouts Pipes and Drums together with Wallace Pipes and Drums, ISC Gymnastics Team, the Malta Police Precision Drill Team, the Malta Police Band and the Armed Forces of Malta Band.

The original meaning of a military tattoo is a military drum performance. However, nowadays it means general military (army) and non-military displays.

It dates from the 17th century when the British Army was fighting in Belgium and The Netherlands. Drummers from the garrison were sent out into the towns each evening, to inform thesoldiers it was time to return to barracks.

Over the years, the process became more of a show. Bands and displays were included and shows were often conducted by floodlight or searchlight.

Tattoos were commonplace in the late 1800s, with most military and garrison towns putting on some kind of show or entertainment during the summer months. Between the First and the Second World War elaborate tattoos were held in many towns in the UK.