History will repeat itself this coming weekend as 150 re-enactors "invade" Victoria and the Citadel to commemorate the 1798 French surrender in Gozo.
The re-enactment will be the highlight on Friday and Saturday when Gozo will celebrate the 210th anniversary of that important historic event.
The activity forms part of a series of initiatives, which includes Birgufest and Iljieli Sajfin, undertaken by local councils across Malta and Gozo to improve the tourism product, Mario de Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, said.
Dr de Marco especially encouraged such activities to take place in the wake of the blow received by the tourism industry due to the increase in oil prices, directly affecting airlines and passenger choices. As a result, travellers have become more selective, so Malta needs to raise its game and give tourists more value for money, Dr de Marco said.
Over the past nine months Gozo saw more than a four per cent increase in passengers, a five per cent increase in vehicles and almost two per cent more ferry trips when compared to last year. Nevertheless, Dr de Marco feels that Gozo needs to be promoted as a separate destination to Malta, adding that more should be done to attract people to the sister island and not just for a day trip or for a weekend.
The forthcoming event would therefore provide a historical and cultural attraction to tourists and locals alike.
The re-enactment is only part of the overall activities taking place this weekend.
"This will be the biggest military re-enactment of the past 10 years," Martin de Giorgio, event coordinator of the Historical Re-Enactment Group of Malta (HRGM), said.
Mr de Giorgio explained that although MRGM had 70 members, besides the Maltese re-enactors, others were being flown in from Sweden, Holland, Norway, Russia and other European countries.
All 150 re-enactors were participating in this event voluntarily, they were even paying for their own flight but MRGM was paying for their accommodation. Re-enactment is a hobby having commemorative, educational and entertainment aspects, Mr de Giorgio noted.
The event is being organised by the Victoria local council in collaboration with MRGM and supported by the Malta Tourism Authority.