Some 24 countries, two of which are European Union applicants, took part, each with their own stands showcasing their culture.

Simultaneously, there were live performances on a stage, set up purposefully for the village.

The actual programme kicked off in the morning with inaugurating speeches by President Edward Fenech Adami, Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Minister John Dalli and Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg.

Part of the programme included a parade by Scout and Guide groups, who held their annual gathering on the day.

The city was packed with uniformed groups of youths and children who added considerably to the atmosphere.

Besides the seated crowd enjoying the live performances, most of the people were enticed by the stands.

One of the stand attendants said “the visitors seemed to be very eager to know more about their neighbours”.

The Estonian representative, from the embassy in Rome, said he was very exited to be here at this time.

“Like Malta, Estonia is a small country, we have common interests,” he said. “It’s good that small countries cooperate with each other.”

The village programme goes on until Saturday and is packed with morning and afternoon activities from concerts and jazz bands to dance and folklore displays, clowns and cultural programmes from all over Europe.

Foreign Office Economic and Cultural Division head Charles Galea said: “The village is an opportunity for European cultures to meet and find out more about each other.

“Malta took part in four European villages before organising this year’s event. The European Village is the focal point of the European Day celebrations.”

There are some notable events that are expected to pull in large crowds. Like the Beer Garden on Friday featuring a folk dance and a Belgian jazz group.

On Tuesday there is the Cantando L’Italia concert “Singing Italy” to be televised on the Italian state owned station RAI.

Mr Galea said Maltese performers will be taking part in similar villages in other countries. He mentioned the Ally and Liz duo which have just come from Portugal.

“Merhba – a group of artists – were sent to Stockholm, another group with violinists will be performing in a European Youth Orchestra at the prestigious Finlandia House. This is the crux of the event to exchange culture.”

Performers

Austria – String Ensemble

Belgium – Alexandre Cavaliere et Jazzy Strings jazz group

Cyprus– Folklore group

Denmark – Duo violinist and guitarist

Estonia – Folk music

Finland – Jazz Trio Tozkeat

France – Street performers

Germany – Volkstanzkreis Deutsch Evern

Ireland – Barco folk singers

Italy – Cantado l’Italia Concert and Sicilian costumes

Lithuania – Duja folk group

Poland – Rock group Voo Voo

Portugal – Fado traditional singers

UK – Chipoltas street performers

Slovenia – The Serpentes folk group

Slovakia – Street performer

Spain – Street performers

Sweden – Cirque Cirkors clowns

Hungary – Rajko Gypsy Orchestra

Bulgaria – Varna folk dancers

Romania – Rustic folk group

Czech Republic and Holland – stands