The 14th edition of Birgufest is being held between today and Sunday. There will be historic re-enactments, discounted museum entrances, open churches and auberges among others.

Tomorrow morning, the local council will host the mayor of Vignanello and his wife together with a delegation from the local council of the Italian city.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

A twinning agreement will be signed between the two cities in the administrative offices of the Vittoriosa local council. The Red Hackled Pipe Bands and the In Guardia parade will march through the streets of Vittoriosa.

American street dancers, Soul Street Dance, who were brought with the support of the US Embassy in Malta, will also participate in the activities.

The highlight of this event will be Birgu By Candlelight tomorrow, where all the streets and houses of the city will be lit only by thousands of candles, adding a romantic touch to this city’s historical ambience.

Various bands and folklore groups, including international groups from Portugal and India, will entertain visitors during the night.

There will also be various exhibitions showcasing Maltese talent, the yearly artisan market and concerts in the churches of Vittioriosa.

Italian maestro Bruno Santori, together with the Maltese singer Ira Losco, will entertain those present in the main square.

On Sunday, a Portuguese folklore group, accompanied by the Mnajra Folk Group from Gozo, will put on a show in Main Square from 10am till noon. And the Marsa Scouts Pipes and Drums and Wallace Pipes and Drums will be marching through the main streets of Vittoriosa.

There will be a ferry service and pass boats from Valletta until 2am for those attending tomorrow’s candlelight event.

There will also be a park-and-ride service from Garden Road, Żabbar, Triq Missjoni Taljana, Kalkara and Kordin (near the Hibs football ground) for the price of €1 per person. Those attending are encouraged to respect police orders to avoid parking problems and traffic.

The festival, organised by the Vittoriosa local council together with the Malta Tourism Authority and various other sponsors, aims to promote and generate interest in the historical heritage of Vittoriosa, the first home of the Knights of St John in Malta, while providing entertainment which suit all taste and ages.

Organisers have allowed traditional Maltese food and drinks stalls to be set up in Main Square, St John’s Tower Street and Xatt ir-Risq. For more information, visit the Birgufest Facebook page.

Dark tales of Fort St Angelo

Two animated tours being organised today

Following the success of the Dark Tales series, Heritage Malta, on the occasion of Birgufest, is organising two animated tours based on tales of mystery and the supernatural at Fort St Angelo.

The legend of the Grey Lady, who is said to haunt the fort till the present day, the firing of Ottoman soldiers’ heads across the Grand Harbour during the Great Siege in 1565, and the story of Fra Giovanni Francesco di San Clement, the only knight known to have been executed within the Fort’s walls, are among the stories that will feature during this animated tour.

The animated tours will be held today at 7pm and 8.30pm. Only a limited number of tickets are available for this event. Participants must be 16 years or over. Tickets can be bought online, http://shop.heritagemalta.org or from all Heritage Malta sites and museums. Discounted prices apply for Heritage Malta members, seniors and students. For more details, visit the agency’s website, www.heritagemalta.org.