The seventh mechanised ground fireworks festival was launched yesterday by the Floriana local council, promising a spectacular display by some of the island’s best pyrotechnic groups.

Safety precautions would be taken during the festival, on April 13, the eve of the feast of St Publius, the patron saint of Floriana, in line with police requirements, mayor Nigel Holland said. In case of inclement weather, the festival would be held the following day.

He pointed out that ensuring safety absorbed 70 per cent of the budget and included fire engines and ambulances on sites and placing double barriers in place, which alone cost €3,000.

The show starts at 10.30pm following a musical programme by the Vilhena Band Club of Floriana, under the baton of Keith Balzan, the first bandmaster to hail from the locality in 90 years, Mr Holland said.

He said the festival had grown into something very popular with the council receiving e-mails about it from as far away as Nigeria and the US.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Josè Herrera said Floriana was lucky to have one of the largest squares on the island, which stood in contrast to its small population.

Chuckling, he noted the square would sometimes be taken over by the political parties, yet the village managed to keep its character.

Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said he had made a proposal to the Malta Tourism Authority to start advertising cultural events as a weekly calendar instead of highlighting specific festivities.

He described fireworks as being part of popular culture unlike opera, which was associated with the “elite” part of society, adding that one would not find the average man in the street watching opera.

Mr Vella said that it would help if events could be planned two to three years in advance to make sure they were given the right exposure when it came to advertising.