For the fifth consecutive year, the Medieval Mdina Festival will be organised in the historic streets of Malta’s old capital. The festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday and will feature various re-enactments by foreign and local groups, medieval music, sbandieratori, illusionists, jesters, falconry and birds of prey, lectures, concerts, food and drinks, a medieval market and kitchen as well as a children’s area.

The popularity of this festival is evident from the number of visitors who flock to Mdina to enjoy a pleasant trip back in time.

During the festival, participants perform all day long in various streets, corners and squares of Malta’s old capital.

These re-enactments include battles, skirmishes, scenes from the medieval period, sword fighting, archery, parades, and flag throwing shows.

The festival also serves as a cultural exchange between local and foreign talent groups, disseminating the cultural heritage of the medieval times. It is as well a good educational exercise to teach both children and adults the history of Mdina.

The Mdina local council, being the smallest local council on the island, needs a lot of support to organise such a big event, and this support comes in many forms, including from government departments as well as the Mdina residents and the Mdina business community.

• Times of Malta will also be issuing a dedicated Medieval Mdina supplement tomorrow. For more information visit www.medievalmdina.eu.