The primary objective of the MTA in putting together this event is to boost cultural tourism to the Maltese Islands and to present the unique assets of our historical towns to the foreign visitor. The festival is also meant to enhance Malta’s cultural events calendar, particularly during the shoulder months, and to extend tourists’ stay in Malta.

An intensive programme of events will highlight the history and heritage of Malta’s major historic towns and cities, including Valletta, Mdina, the Cottonera area and Victoria in Gozo. The festival is being organised by the MTA’s Product Planning and Development Directorate.

The highlights of the Malta Historic Cities Festival are expected to include the Valletta Military Tattoo, with the participation of foreign military bands, police bands and majorette groups.

The Aurora Theatre in Victoria, Gozo, will present Verdi’s opera Nabucco, while various churches will welcome visitors to recitals of Gregorian chants. Other spectacular activities and events, such as re-enactments, folk dancing and music, concerts and pageantry, will also be held.

Participants will be coming to Malta from all over Europe, while local participants include the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta which will be organising Napoleonic pageantry.

During the festival, there will also be a number of exhibitions, including a photographic exhibition organised by ‘Valletta Alive’ as well as a painting exhibition by eight female artists at the Auberge d’Italie and a floral exhibition at St Catherine’s Church, Valletta.

Bank of Valletta is the sponsor of this year’s edition of the Malta Historic Cities Festival.

More information on the Malta Historic Cities Festival, and the full programme, can be obtained from the MTA’s events website: www.maltafestivals.com, e-mail: [email protected] or by phoning 6996073/4; 2138 1392.