A little boy is playing marbles on the front stairs. A plane flies low and his mother rushes out as the air raid sounds. Suddenly, they are in a dark, crowded shelter, rosary beads in hand.
This typical Maltese World War II scene is one of the many clever scenes in the latest audiovisual show, Valletta Living History, produced by HD Entertainment, premiered yesterday at the Embassy Cinemas, Valletta.
This high definition show depicts Malta through its greatest trials and triumphs: the Turks sending the bodies of dead Maltese and Knights across the harbour, the looting of Malta's churches during Napoleon's reign, winning the Great Siege and the arrival of the Santa Maria convoy.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who inaugurated the show, found it "fascinating and exciting to preside on an initiative of the private sector to invest in what makes us Maltese".
Dr Gonzi admitted he felt a great sense of pride to see such a visual representation of what Malta and its people were about. "It makes us remember our responsibility to deliver Valletta to our children in a better state than when we found it."
He noted with pride children playing in St George's Square, Valletta when walking to the show, a big change from when cars choked the area and said that "we will be seeing Valletta change even more in the next 12 months".
The audiovisual presentation put back the producers by €500,000. However, they are awaiting the approval of EU funds. If it gets the green light, the show will be partly funded by the EU (42.5 per cent), the private sector (50 per cent) and the state (7.5 per cent).
The 35-minute show takes viewers through Valletta's varied past, depicting Mount Sciberras as a barren hill moving on to the lively capital city it has become today.
The docudrama, penned by renowned scriptwriter Jonathan Rich, portrays the ordeals and achievements of the Maltese through the Great Siege, the building of the capital, Napoleon's reign, colonisation by the British, World War II, Independence and, finally, Malta joining the EU.
Valletta Living History hopes to appeal to tourists and Maltese alike. It will be screened daily throughout the year in a number of languages.
Entrance prices vary from €9.75 for adults to €4 for children.