The four exclusive Hypogeum site-visits with David Trump, as part of Festival Mediterranea 2008, have been sold out in a matter of days. Yet, the heritage-conscious still have a plethora of events awaiting them as this week, Dr Trump will be leading several other heritage-related events in both Malta and Gozo.

Held in collaboration with Heritage Malta, Festival Mediterranea heritage events are designed to cater both for the erudite follower of Maltese history as well as for the ‘beginner’ in the subject. The majority of these events are led by Dr Trump himself, a leading international figure in the study of Maltese prehistory who transforms the scholarly information delivered into a unique experience.

This year’s events include visits to a number of sites normally closed to the public, such as the Gozo Stone Circle, Kordin III temple, and the Tas-Silg complex where visitors will have the opportunity to witness an archaeological investigation which is currently under way. Places for all these tours are very limited and are assigned strictly on a first-come first-served basis.

Dr Trump will also lead site visits to the Ggantija temples in Gozo and the Tarxien temples, as well as a public lecture and a half-day seminar, both held in Gozo.

Dr Trump will be delivering a lecture entitled ‘Digging up history – archaeology in Malta and elsewhere’ tomorrow, while on Thursday, 30 October, he will be joined by Nicholas Vella of the University of Malta for a half-day seminar on ‘Malta and Italy: the Archaeological links’. Entrance for these two events is free of charge.

Other forthcoming events in the Festival Mediterranea programme for this year include a concert by Italian singer Amedeo Minghi (with the participation of Ira Losco and Morena), Uniting Diversity – a dance show by the Naupaca Dance Factory, and the annual symphonic concert by the La Stella Band.

Festival Mediterranea 2008 is organised by the Astra Theatre in Gozo.