Themed streets, a comedy garden and a rock/pop orchestra are just a few of the attractions that will light up Notte Bianca, Lejl Imdawwal, on September 25.

Although the night when Valletta comes alive is now part of the national calendar, the organisers promised to make sure this year’s event will not seem like a repetition of the previous years’. The September 2010 edition will focus not only on arterial roads like Old Bakery Street but is intended to transform smaller side roads into themed “works of art”. Some of the ideas include a road dedicated to the 1920s and another to films directed by Quentin Tarantino, the legend behind Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction.

This year Notte Bianca will also see the Lower Barrakka Gardens transformed into a garden of comedy, with performances by Joe Demicoli and Zoo.

In contrast to previous editions of the magical night, performances will run for 20 minutes with segmental performances repeated to allow audiences to get a taste of everything without rushing from one show to another.

Notte Bianca, in its fifth year running, will again see museums opening their doors to the public late at night and will offer a wide choice of entertainment to its audience with an open art gallery, wine and beer gardens and performances in all of Valletta’s main theatres and other venues.

Speaking at the launch on this year’s event, the chairman of the Malta Council for Culture and Arts, Adrian Mamo yesterday said the arts scene had seen an increase in audiences in 2010, with the problem being rather a lack of seating availability than of interest.

More information will be given closer to Notte Bianca and the public will receive the event schedule at home like they did last year.

Mario de Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, missed the press conference to be with his father, former President Guido de Marco, who is ill in hospital.