This event brought together more than 100 re-enactors from Malta and the UK to represent five different military units from Britain, France and Malta. Together they reconstructed some 100 years of military history, covering such conflicts as the Napoleonic, Crimean and South African Wars.

Two main displays were held in a specially adapted arena in the grounds of the fort. The displays began with a skirmish between Naoleonic and English troops, with the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta representing soldiers from the time of the French blockade of Malta.

This was followed by a spectacular display of military horsemanship consisting of a 12-man British cavalry team recreating the 17th Lancers from the Crimean War period. This group, one of Britain’s best, came to Malta specifically to take part in this event.

The men behind the group are veteran historians with extensive experience in the fields of heritage interpretation and the film industry. At certain points, in-between displays, they gave instructional sessions in the art of military horse-riding.

For the first time, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna also fired a recently restored unique piece of historic artillery. This is an eight-inch rifled muzzle-loading howitzer of which there were nine batteries in Malta for deployment on the Victoria Lines towards the end of the 19th century. This monster piece of field artillery is known to be unique to Malta.

FWA Victorian re-enactors representing the Royal Malta Artillery fired this cannon.

Members of the public attending the event were able to tour Fort Rinella on their own or with organised guided tours by FWA volunteers. Tours were held every 20 minutes and were conducted in both Maltese and English.

All the money raised during this event will go towards the furtherance of FWA’s heritage conservation efforts.