Hundreds of Maltese resident in the United Kingdom congregated in London on Saturday to celebrate the seventh edition of Malta Day. The programme of events, organised by the Malta High Commission and UK-based Maltese organisations, included a traditional Maltese fair complete with stalls selling Malta-made pottery and glass, filigree ornaments, pastizzi, ravjul and qassatat, beer, wines and liquors. Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority and the George Cross Island Association had a busy time promoting their various interests.

The Battista Leisure Group’s troupe of young singers and dancers visiting London for a young artists’ competition at the Shaftesbury Theatre delighted the audience with excerpts from their performance of Showbiz High. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech visited the fair and was enthusiastically welcomed by those present.

Bishop Grech was the principal co-celebrant at High Mass in a packed Westminster Cathedral. High Commissioner Michael Refalo welcomed the bishop and thanked everyone who had helped in the organisation of the festivities.

The ‘Magnificat’ Children’s Choir of Qala, under the direction of Archpriest Joseph Zammit sang the music of a Mass composed by Maestro Carmelo Zammit. High Mass was followed by fireworks, a band march and procession during which the statue of The Bambina was carried from the Cathedral to the Chapel of Repose in Horseferry Road.

The highly successful day ended with gala dinner at the Hyatt Churchill Hotel in Mayfair.