The beat of drums and sound of bagpipes filled the air at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qali last weekend for the Malta Military Tattoo.

At the 14th Military Tattoo, enthusiasts were entertained for hours by marching bands and precision drills. This year’s line-up included performances by the Nizhny Tagil Philharmonic pop-wind orchestra and Moscow’s Youth State Dance Company.

Malta’s presence was strong, with the Wallace Pipes and Drums Band, the Marsa Scouts Pipes and Drums, the Ħamrun Scouts Pipes and Drums, the Malta Police Precision Drill Team, the Malta Police Band and the Armed Forces of Malta Band, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta Drill Team.

The original meaning of ‘military tattoo’ was a drum performance, but it now refers to general military and non-military displays. Tattoos date to the 17th century, when the British Army was fighting in Belgium and the Netherlands and drummers were sent into the towns each evening to inform the soldiers that it was time to return to barracks.

Tattoos were commonplace in the late 1800s, with most military and garrison towns putting on some kind of show or entertainment during the summer months. Between World Wars I and II elaborate tattoos were held in the UK.

This year’s line-up included performances by Moscow’s Youth State Dance Company.