The Isla Local Council in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue is organising a day of maritime and cultural events,
The Senglea Maritime Festival, on Sunday 17 May. Marie Benoît found out more about some of the activities planned from Mayor Joseph Casha.
What kind of hours are you planning for the Festival?
It will kick off at 10am with 6 hours of non-stop events on Sunday 17 May. Of course entrance is free and we want everyone to come with their family and friends and have a wonderful time. Hopefully the sun will be shining as we have planned several outdoor activities.
Senglea, named after Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, lies on a small, narrow peninsula between French Creek to the west and Dockyard Creek to the east. Where abouts do you intend holding the Festival?
The maritime and cultural events will be held on the Promenade from Macina Bastion to Senglea Point.
Senglea is also well-known for its Naval Base. I see that one of the events you are organizing is connected with HM Naval Base. Could you please say something about this event?
A replica of a wartime submarine is berthed alongside the Naval Base. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through a set-up of a contemporary naval dockyard. The sheer legs traditionally known as Il-Macina, are back, after 100 years and the Macina will become functional again. In the early 17th century the Order of St John built the Macina for de-masting and de-storing the ships-of-the-line. A replica of an old sailing ship is secured alongside the Macina to be demasted.
Another unique experience involves a Xprunara – a typical 19th century boat. I did not know that they still exist…
Yes, the last remaining Xprunara is moored opposite the Dockyard Terrace. We are organizing a demonstration of hauling and lowering of sails on it. You don’t see that often!
Can you tell me a little more about the maritime exhibitions which are being organized?
As you know Senglea was heavily involved during World War II and one of the exhibitions is the connection between HMS Illustrious and Senglea. There is also an exhibition of Royal Navy Ship Badges and another one on the Senglean, Juan B. Azopardo, who was the Founder of the Argentine Navy. There are other, very interesting, exhibitions too including a display of old boats, fishing tackle and old fishing equipment. And visitors will be able to watch fish nets being worked. There is more but I will stop there.
And of course there are Art exhibitions. Could you say a little on these?
Artists from the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce will be present throughout the day. Some will be painting while others will be working on ceramics. An exhibition on Art in Senglea, co-ordinated by Miriam C. Fiorini and Henry Alamango will also be open for viewing.
Anything particularly exciting and a little out of the ordinary?
There will be demonstrations of abseiling from the Malta Red Cross Society at Fort St Michael Bastions, Senglea Main Gate, Gardjola Bastions and Dawret ix-Xatt Bastions. What is more the general public will have an opportunity to try it out!
And music? There must be musicians involved in all this…
Yes of course. What is a Festival without music. There will be bands and group marches by several associations including the Malta Tnabar Association, the Sea Cadets, scouts and the Big Friends Gugen Music. These will march through Mons. Panzavecchia Street, Gorg Mitrovic Square, Pope Benedict XV Square, Victory Street down to Senglea Waterfront. It is all going to be very lively and the music will add to the generally festive ambience.
And yes, for those who enjoy fishing the Blue Sea Sport Angling Club is organizing, on the day, a fishing competition alongside the promenade on the way to Senglea Point. Many are already looking forward to this.
Any Re-enactments? These are popular. The ones held recently at the Mdina Festival were a huge success.
Yes, there will be a Re-enactment of a memorable day – Armistice day on 8 September 1943. As you may know, while the statue of Maria Bambina was being carried through the ruined streets of Senglea the news spread that Italy had unconditionally surrendered. As you can imagine one cannot describe the relief and joyful tears of the large crowd of people, mainly Sengleans, accompanying the statue. This will be re-enacted on 17 May.
The mayor adds that there will be Ghana, fold dancing and singing and the Santa Maria Accordian Band. Also guided tours, canoeing and several other activities. A lively day lies in store.
Mr Casha points out that there will be boat trips with return from Valletta and Birgu to Isla running from 10am onwards. Public transport will be running throughout the day by taking Bus No 3.
The Maritime Festival kicks off at 10am with 6 hours of non-stop events. Entrance is free of charge.
For further information contact Senglea (Isla)
Local Council.
Tel:
2166 2424, 2180 6794,
2701 3004.
e-mail:
[email protected];
website:
www.islalocalcouncil.com
Senglea: a very potted history
In 1552 a fort was built on the peninsula, originally a hunting area, by the Knights of Malta. The town was founded in 1554 by the Knights’ grand master Claude de la Sengle. Subsequently fortified, it played an important role during the Turks’ Great Siege of Malta in 1565, when it suffered heavy damage. At that time, Sengle’s successor and the leader of Malta’s defense, Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, bestowed upon it the title of Civitas Invicta (“Unconquered City”). Extensive redevelopment and the establishment of commercial and shipbuilding facilities made it the most prosperous of the Three Cities in the 18th century. It was almost devastated in World War II air raids.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica online