Fireworks are being let off during the feast of St Paul Shipwrecked in Valletta after the Culture Ministry intervened, leading Heritage Malta to withdraw its objections fearing damage to artefacts at Fort St Elmo.

The feast of St Paul is being celebrated this weekend because February 10 will mark the start of Lent.

A spokeswoman said the ministry approached Heritage Malta after it transpired that the fireworks display would take place about 180 metres away from the new museum at the Valletta fort.

Asked what brought about the change of heart she said that, after requesting further clarifications and reviewing past aerial fireworks displays, it transpired, among other things, that the display would take place about 180 metres from Fort St Elmo. “Hence, the ministry asked Heritage Malta to withdraw the objection.”

The police had decided not to issue a permit to let off fireworks, which threatened to dampen the feast enthusiasts’ spirit.

This was reversed just in time yesterday morning following a meeting with the national heritage agency.

Speaking to this newspaper after the decision was revoked, Antoine Farrugia said the Għaqda tal-Pawlini would be taking all the necessary precautions and had even raised its insurance coverage from €500,000 to €1 million.

He insisted that the fireworks would not pose any risk to the artefacts because they would be let off from below the Abercrombie Bastion, some distance away from the fort.

The fireworks would explode over the sea about 250 metres away from the fort, Mr Farrugia, the group’s secretary, said.

He said this had happened since 1999 when the firing site was identified together with the Explosives Committee and no authority had ever complained.

Heritage Malta objected to the fireworks being launched off the breakwater, claiming it could affect items exhibited at the National War Museum inside the restored Fort St Elmo.

The fireworks enthusiasts were surprised at this objection, arguing that certain events, such as concerts with loud music, were in the past held within the museum itself.

Għaqda tal-Pawlini welcomed the decision, expressing hope that those who could have been put off by the prospect of no fireworks being let off would now join in the celebrations.