More than 1,000 people will be taking part in more than 100 events representing a broad range of cultural activities for this year’s Notte Bianca, being held on October 5.
The event, held for the first time eight years ago and annually since, celebrates randomness, possibility, the imagination. It attracts more than 60,000 people to the capital each year.
For the first time this year, Notte Bianca will have an official opening, complete with coloured smoke and In Guardia troops firing cannons from all around the City. This will kickstart the festival at 6pm. A closing breakfast at 2am at the Casino Maltese will bring the night to an end.
Meanwhile, Valletta will be transformed into a city mapped out as a fairytale fantasy. Entrance will be through a designated portal at City Gate. Towards the end of the night, people will leave the city through the Central Bank annex.
Novelty touches include curated music stages, which require bands to play mainly original music and group them according to genre, festival commissions and projects – and Atmosfera, a programme of ancillary events inspired by the energy running through the capital on the night.
Another first this year is a festival that pays tribute to the notion of legacy: an elevated stage will be built in St Lucy Street for Misraħ il-Mużika, with a programme of classical, opera and brass band music playing live throughout the night in various locations.
Artistic director Sean Buhagiar said: “This year, we have triggered a revolution of new projects, collaborated with different generations of artists, craftsmen, entertainers and cultural practitioners. Enjoy the fairytale, discover the fun, and soak in the atmosphere. Lights, camera, magic!”
Parliamentary secretary Jose’ Herrera said that Notte Bianca is an example of culture for everybody, from pop to higher culture, with a special emphasis on literature, dance and music.
“One of the first decisions I took at the beginning of my appointment was to extend the deadline for applications to ensure the broadest possible range of artists. That is what we did and I am happy to say that all this talent is now included under one umbrella, that of Notte Bianca.”
Dr Herrera said that even Gozitans were being given the chance to attend Notte Bianca as a special ferry service from Mgarr to Valletta was being organised. His secretariat, he said, was not only supporting the programme of activities but also investing in the mobile app project. “This is an innovative project which takes Notte Bianca to a new and more technological dimension reflecting contemporary times. With new ideas and a fresh vision, we are giving a stamp to this feast which attracts 60,000 people to the capital city Valletta,” Dr Herrera said.
TRANSPORT AND ACCESSIBILITY
By land
Arriva will be operating a special bus service for Notte Bianca on October 5 with tickets priced at €3.
The ticket will also be valid for all day-time buses on the same day. The special service will be operating from Valletta to all localities around the island from 11pm until 2.30am.
Tickets can be bought beforehand from Arriva ticket booths, street ticket sellers, and directly from the bus on October 5.
The public is strongly urged to buy tickets beforehand due to limited availability on the night. For ticket booth locations and the list of routes visit www.arriva.com.mt/nottebianca or call 2122 2000.
Arriva’s Park & Ride services will also be available offering unlimited parking on the day for €1.50, with direct shuttles from Floriana and back.
Taxis will also be stationed at the Valletta bus terminus.
By sea
For the first time this year, Gozo Channel will provide a special service to Valletta. The ferry will depart from Mgarr, Gozo at 18.30 and will leave Valletta at 00.30. A Gozitan folk group will also perform on the ferry, getting passengers into the Notte Bianca mood before they arrive at the festival.
The Upper Barrakka lift will be free of charge from 3pm onwards and will run until 2am.
Ferry boats will also be running on a regular basis from Sliema and Birgu to Valletta and back till late.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and Civil Protection points will be situated as below:
- Ġlormu Cassar - Top of the hill
- Ordinance Street with Strait Street
- Melita Street - between Merchants Street and St Paul Street
- Republic Street between Archbishop Street and St Christopher’s Street
Lost and Found will be situated at the Valletta police headquarters.
The programme of events can be see here.