Verdala Palace in Buskett has proven to be a complex logistical challenge in its transformation into the set for L-Istrina. But by Boxing Day, the former Grand Master’s hunting lodge will be ready and waiting to host the 12-hour charity TV programme.
Not only will the palace be viewed on three TV stations but it will also be open to the public, in line with President George Abela’s plans to render historic buildings accessible to everyone.
In its entrance hall above the doorway to the dining room are the words Cedat curae loco and the President was inspired by the place to “leave all your worries” behind.
The palace was, after all, designed for recreational purposes and its motto was a major value for L-Istrina, which was a shoulder for sick people and their families to lean on, he said.
“It is hard to ask these people to forget their worries, but we can relieve them at least of their extra financial burdens. Some people need to sell their house to get better. God forbid theyshould get to that stage,” Dr Abela said.
L-Istrina was aimed at making the public aware of the needs of others and easing their worries, he said.
Referring to the debate in the UK on whether the state should continue to support patients who were about to die, Dr Abela said the answer was a categorical yes.
While the show goes on in a transparent tent in the repaved grounds, the palace will be brought to life through a re-enactment of a late-18th-century banquet in its dining room, complete with authentic dishes of the time, including rabbit pie and soup that would have been simmering for hours.
In keeping with its historical sports aims, the palace’s ditch is home to deer since yesterday. The main upstairs hall is leaping into the future and will be fitted with a high-tech LED floor directly from Italy’s telethon last Sunday.
“We had problems to bring it over because the rough weather meant the catamaran was not operating,” said L-Istrina producer Fabian Mizzi, who is unfazed by the logistical hurdles along the way.
The floor arrived in the nick of time yesterday and personalities will be playing interactive laser games on it. Above, the newly-restored ceiling frescoes can be admired.
“The palace is what it is and so are its grounds,” Mr Mizzi said of a job that hit the drawing board in August and started to materialise on site five weeks ago, requiring about 10 kilometres of cabling among other behind-the-scenes set-ups.
Verdala’s infrastructure was not enough for such a massive event, and even the electricity supply had to be upgraded.
The majestic palace acts as a backdrop to the three stages under the tent, which had to be raised off the ground to be high enough to hang lighting and other equipment.
The phone-in section, for which sufficient cabling had to be laid, occupies another area of the gardens while three outside broadcasting units are already on site for the airing of the show on all three stations – PBS, Net and One – which are also united in L-Istrina.
The first rehearsals were held yesterday. The final touches are being made to the design and a clean-up is next before the start of the action, which involves about 800 people, including the production team, crew and volunteers.
“Everyone owns the event, which is no longer commercial but driven by feelings. You get to feel what people need and everyone involved just gets sucked into it,” Mr Mizzi said of the atmosphere on location.
The show itself is packed with “versatile” entertainment, including L-Istrina’s own orchestra for the first time. Five of the top stand-up comedians are joining forces but the humour will, of course, be punctuated by reminders of the human stories in aid of which the event was created.
The President has a packed day. He will also be heading to Ta’ Qali to attend Gowl għall-Istrina, organised by Net and One TV, together with the Malta Football Association, which is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the first match at the national football stadium.
A helicopter will transport Dr Abela from the stadium to Betleħem f’Għajnsielem and back to Malta.
But the main aim remains the collecting of funds for 33 beneficiaries. Last year, €2.4 million were raised, a record in the 16 years of the event, which for the third year running will not be luring the public through prizes for calling.
Appealing for donations, the President also invited the public to “physically see” the palace for themselves... and maybe the Blue Lady too.
Getting there
Park-and-ride areas are being set up on the ring road under Mdina, by the football pitch, at Savio College, the Tal-Virtù Seminary and St Agatha, where a free shuttle service will be available.