Thousands are expected to make their way into Valletta this Saturday to make the most of the all-night cultural activities.
During Notte Bianca, now in its sixth year, museums, buildings, and almost every nook and cranny are brought to life and transformed into one festive gathering which includes film, theatre performances, art exhibitions, dance and music by local and international artists.
More than 130 different events are taking place across the capital.
Live bands, dance companies and musicians will be performing in places like the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Castille, Republic, Merchants and South streets among others.
Children have not been neglected – one of the main attractions will be Hastings Gardens which have been magically transformed into an adventurous wonderland.
Police and local authorities yesterday called on Notte Bianca visitors to use various entry points into Valletta and not throng City Gate.
Interesting performances have been earmarked for areas such as the Victoria Gate, the Auberge de Baviere and St Elmo to encourage people to enter from there.
City Gate will be a one-way entry into Valletta and exit towards the Floriana car park and the bus terminus will be through the Central Bank annexe in Ġlormu Cassar Avenue.
Cars will not be allowed into the city after 4pm and access will be limited to permit holders.
Superintendent Alexandra Mamo asked parents to provide their children with a wrist band bearing contact numbers in case they get lost.
“There won’t be any need for panic. Parents can approach one of the police on patrol or go directly to the police station in Archbishop Street,” she said, adding contact numbers could also be written on paper and kept in a child’s pocket.
Organisers encouraged the public to wear white, use public transport and to car pool as much as possible.
Arriva will again offer a round-trip service for this year’s celebrations at the special price of €2.50, which includes both the bus ride from any locality to Valletta and a special, direct service to all localities after the event.
Organisers are expecting more crowds than last year, when St George’s Square was the most popular spot.
Socionical carried out a study to analyse the crowds and flow of people and help emergency departments plan ahead in case of a stampede.
It showed that the next most popular sites were the Church of Our Lady of Victory, the area near the Vee Gee Bee studio, Great Siege Square, Palazzo Ferreria and Castille Place.
Socionical is an information and communication technologies project funded under the European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
The Notte Bianca iPhone app was tested for the first time worldwide last year.
Some 300 people who downloaded the app contributed, said Alexei Dingli who processed the data and analysed the simulations.
“The estimates we have are the closest we can get to the real statistics,” Dr Dingli said, adding videos showed a feel of what was happening in real time.
Data will not be collected this year as the app is unavailable.
More information on Arriva’s Notte Bianca service can be found on www.arriva.com.mt/nottebianca, by calling 2122 2000 or e-mailing enquiries@arriva.com.mt. More details are available at www.nottebiancamalta.com/programme.html.
2011 attraction visitors
St George’s Square - 8,960
Our Lady of Victory church - 8,680
Vee Gee Bee Art Studio - 8,120
Great Siege Square - 7,840
Palazzo Ferreria - 7,560
Castille Place - 5,600
St James church & mission - 5,320
Meusac - 5,320
King’s Own Band Club - 5,040
President’s Palace - 4,760
Badass Café - 4,760
Soċjetà Filarmonika Nazzjonali La Valette - 4,480
Merchants Street - 4,480
Palazzo Parisio - 3,920
Market Square - 3,920
Upper Barrakka Gardens - 3,920
Casino Maltese - 3,360
St Francis of Assisi church - 3,360
Old market place - 3,360
Strait Street (c/w Old Theatre Street) - 3,360
Auberge d’Italie - 3,360