The 11th edition of the International Fireworks Festival, organised by the Ministry for Tourism, the Environment and Culture and the Malta Tourism Authority has this year been extended to various localities across the Maltese islands.
The festival forms part of the eighth anniversary celebrations of Malta’s accession to the European Union.
The programme will unfold as follows:
Saturday: The Floriana local council is organising the Sixth Mechanised Ground Fireworks Festival (locally known as nar ta’ l-art) which will be held in St Publius Square on the eve of the feast of St Publius, Floriana’s patron saint. Programme starts at 10.30 p.m.
Sunday: An eight-minute close proximity pyromusical show will be held by FireOne Malta in collaboration with St Nicholas Fireworks Factory of Siġġiewi, at the Excelsior Hotel. Programme starts at 9.45 p.m.
Monday: Pyromusical displays by Scar-pato/PyroDigiT (Italy) and Mount Carmel Fireworks Factory of Żurrieq in Mdina. Programme starts at 9.45 p.m.
April 25: A variety of traditional and unique Maltese fireworks in Mellieħa. Sixteen Maltese fireworks factories are participating. Programme starts at 6.30 p.m.
April 26: A variety of Maltese ground fireworks will take place in St Paul’s Bay/Buġibba promenade that relate to the chronological development of this form of pyrotechnic display from traditional Catherine wheels to mechanised pieces. Nine different Maltese fireworks factories are participating. Programme starts at 9 p.m.
April 27: A pyromusical display by Pirico Fireworks (Italy), a unique demo display by Ugo Lieto Fireworks (Italy) and closing off with a grandiose pyro-musical finale by Lourdes Fireworks Factory (Qrendi), winners of the Malta International Fireworks Festival 2011 at the Valletta Grand Harbour. Programme starts at 10 p.m.
April 28: Traditional aerial and ground fireworks displays by Gozitan pyrotechnic factories in Għarb. Programme starts at 7 p.m.
April 29: Day 1 of the Malta International Fireworks Festival competition. Pyro-musical displays by Apogee Fireworks (Canada) at 9 p.m., Phoenix Fireworks (UK) at 9.30 p.m. and Jost Fireworks (Austria) at 10 p.m.
April 30: Day 2 of the Malta International Fireworks Festival competition. Pyro-musical displays by St Michaels Fireworks Factory (Lija) at 9 p.m., Mirnovec Fireworks (Croatia) at 9.30 p.m. and Surex Fireworks (Poland) at 10 p.m.
May 1: Day 3 of the Malta International Fireworks Festival competition. Prize-giving ceremony at 9 p.m. followed by the final grand pyromusical display by Parente Fireworks (Italy), non-competitive, at 9.30 p.m.
• More information may be obtained by phone on 2291 5000 or e-mail: fireworks@visitmalta.com
Visual Arts
Till April 27
Watersedge
An exhibition of paintings by George Apap is showing at the Auberge d’Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta.
Till April 28
360
An exhibition of woodturned artefacts by Harry Mallia is showing at the Carmelite Priory Museum, Mdina. Opening hours: 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Till April 29
Metal Magic: Spanish Treasures from the Khalili Collections
A selection of works from the Khalili Collections is showing at the Grand Salon of the National Museum of Archaeology.
Till April 29
Polarities
An exhibition of ceramic works by Kenneth Grima is showing at the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta.
Till April 29
Encounters
A combined exhibition by Lawrence Pavia and Emilio Vilaseca is showing at Art..e Gallery, Victoria. Open from 9.30 a.m. till noon and 4 to 7 p.m. or by appointment Tel: 2155 7911/9980 4774.
Till April 30
Journeys of Discovery
The Gozo Area Exhibition Hall in the Citadel is hosting an eclectic show of drawings, paintings, documentation of an installation and mixed media sculptures by Gozitan primary school students. This is an annual artistic project organised by the primary art teachers of the Gozo College in collaboration with Heritage Malta: Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. till noon.
Till April 30
Roots
An exhibition of sculptures by Mario Agius is showing at Palazzo Ferreria, Republic Street, Valletta.
Extended till May 1
Plastic Dreams
A collection of playful photographs by Elisa Von Brockdorff is on show at Angelica’s Café in Archbishop Street, Valletta.
Till May 15
Calabria Cultural Event
A photographic exhibition featuring Calabrian landscapes by Charles Mifsud is showing at the Italian Cultural Institute, St George’s Square, Valletta.
Till May 20
Victor Agius’ Open Studio
Victor Agius is showing his new works from the project recently launched at the Sant’ Eufemia Gallery in Venice at The Art Studio in Bishop R. Farrugia Street Xagħra (close to the Ġgantija Temples). Opening hours: Saturdays 6-8 p.m. and Sundays from 10.30 a.m. till 12.30 p.m. or by appointment on 7959 4508
www.victoragius.com
Till May 20
Thresholds
An exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of the British Council in Malta. Artist Paula Rego selected artworks from the British Council collection dating from start of the 20th century, most of them works on paper, prints, drawings and photographs. Showing at St James Cavalier, Valletta.
Concerts/Music
Saturday
Pictures at an Exhibition
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Christopher Muscat, in collaboration with visual artist Derek Nice and students from Gżira Boys’ Secondary will be presenting the fruitful result of their musical adventure at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta at 6 p.m. Presentation and stage direction will be in the hands of Sarah Spiteri.
Saturday
L-Għanja Tal-Poplu
University’s Sir Temi Zammit Hall will be hosting the 36th edition of L-Għanja Tal-Poplu festival which kicks off at 7.30 p.m. Some 100 participants are featured in this edition including popular group Brikkuni and special appearance by English singer/songwriter Sarah Class.
www.biljetti.com
April 25
Romancing Beethoven
The iconic music of the Great German composer Ludvig van Beethoven will be performed by the Cordia String Quartet at Palazzo de Piro, Mdina at 7.30 p.m.
Performing Arts
April 20-22, 27-29
Becky Shaw
Written by award-winning writer Gina Gionfriddo, Becky Shaw is about a blind date gone bad. Directed by Anthony Bezzina, the cast features Isabel Warrington, Malcolm Galea, Laura Best, Toni Attard and Sue Scantlebury. Showing at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Performances start at 7.30 p.m.
April 20-22, 27-29
Arsenic and Old Lace
MADC presents this classic play by Joseph Kesselring directed by Josette Ciappara. The play is a black comedy classic revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and not to mention the local police in Brooklyn, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry his “girl-next-door” fiancée. Showing at the Manoel Theatre, performances start at 8 p.m.
Others
Tonight
Soldiers of Salamis (Soldados de Salamina, 2003)
Directed by David Trueba, based on the book by Javier Cercas. Starring Ariadna Gil and Ramon Fontsere, the film was nominated for eight Goya Awards in 2004 and won the award for Best Cinematography and screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. Showing at St James Cavalier Cinema at 7 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Presented by the Spanish Embassy in Malta, this film forms part of the Spanish Film Season.
Tonight
Il padre e lo straniero (2011)
A screening of the film, inspired by the novel with the same name written by Giancarlo De Cataldo, will be showing at the Italian Cultural Institute at 6.30 p.m. The film is being presented out of competition at the Festival Internazionale del Film in Rome 2010.
Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday
Istanti by Silvano Spessot
Concurrent to an exhibition of works by Silvano Spessot showing at Opus 64 Galerie, the gallery in Tigné Street, Sliema will be hosting a live acoustic guitar session by Martynas Kuliavas between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m.
Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday
The Malta Springfest 2012
Another edition of The Malta Springfest is being organised in Qormi featuring a vast programme of entertainment, traditions, exhibitions, Maltese food, cultural experiences, music, fun and much more.
www.festiesterniqormi.org
April 21
Sunset Tour and Lecture for World Heritage Day
For the occasion of Unesco World Heritage Day (being celebrated tomorrow) there will be a sunset tour of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples and the surrounding landscape, followed by refreshments and a lecture on Maltese prehistory at the Visitor Centre. The tour starts at 5 p.m. and the lecture at 8.30 p.m. Tickets are limited and can be bought from Heritage Malta’s sites and museums prior to the event. For further information call 2395 4232.
April 22
In Guardia Parade
A historical re-enactment organised by the Malta Tourism Authority. The re-enactment portrays an authentic event that took place regularly inside Fort St Elmo featuring the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St John in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment, the soldiers and knights of the fort’s garrison – some 70 re-enactors – are kitted out in their finest uniforms and perform a military drill demonstrating to the Grand Bailiff the garrison’s state of readiness in the event of a military threat. The show begins at 11 a.m.
Feasts
Sunday
St Publius, Floriana
Monday
St George, Qormi
Useful contacts
St James Cavalier
Tel: 2122 3200
E-mail: info@sjcav.org
www.sjcav.org
Manoel Theatre
Tel: 2124 6389
bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
www.manoeltheatre.com.mt
To submit a cultural event e-mail: arts@timesofmalta.com