The Mediaeval Mdina Festival is being held in the quaint streets and squares of Mdina for the fourth consecutive year next Saturday and Sunday. During the two-day event, there will be re-enactments by foreign and local groups, mediaeval music, sbandieratori, magicians, displays by falcons and other birds of prey, lectures, recitals, food and drink and a children’s area.

The popularity of the festival is evident from the number of people who have visited it in previous years. It also provides an opportunity for cultural exchanges between local and foreign groups, disseminating the cultural heritage of mediaeval times.

During the festival, the opening hours of all visitor attractions will be extended and admission charges will be reduced. A number of exhibitions have also been organised in some of the chapels and other places of interest in order to enhance the architectural beauty of Mdina. Food and drink will not be missing, and a good number of outlets will be featuring mediaeval-type food on their menus during the festival.

The following participants

and activities are being featured:

• Freelancing Knights of Redemption from Ireland – knights in armour

• HRGM – Historical Re-enactment group from Malta

• Show of Arms – A local mediaeval re-enactment group

• Anakron – A local mediaeval club

• Liudon Incorraptus – A German Mediaeval Band

• Brian Role and Lourdes Palmer – Magician

• Falconry and Birds of Prey by Federicus Rex

• St Benedict College Chess Academy

• Recitals – soprano Rosabelle Bianchi with Lydia Buttigieg on harp and John Fsadni on mediaeval flute

• Gruppo Storico Sbandieratori e Musici della Contesa del Secchio

• Associazione di Musici e Sbandieratori, Agro Priolese

• Fire Eater – Kajsa Nilsson, part of Gyllbatrix Group

• Walkabouts by Maltese re-enactors throughout the day

• Lectures – distinguished speakers, including Dr Vince Zammit, Neville Ebejer, Liam Gauci and Dun Gwann Azzopardi, will give lectures on the mediaeval

• Exhibitions – Bonsai, Wooden Icons, Photographic Exhibition and Wood-turned artefacts.

• Food and drink stands

• Children’s area