VISET plc, in collaboration with the Tourism and Culture Ministry, has launched its Christmas and New Year traditional Maltese festive season activities to be held at the Valletta Waterfront. The historic setting of Pinto Wharf will be transformed into a magical place full of Christmas spirit, offering a new and unique way to enjoy and experience the festive season.
This year’s activities will kick off on tomorrow with a pre-Christmas concert in aid of Dar il-Kaptan, a respite home for persons with disabilities in Mtarfa. The concert will be held at the Chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family. Soprano Marita Bezzina who will be accompanied by Silvio Zammit on the flute, Ramona Zammit Formosa on the piano and flute, and Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta’ on the harp, will be performing musical pieces by Donizetti, Puccini, Verdi and Briccialdi, amongst others.
Tickets at Lm5 and Lm4 are available from Sterling Jewellers at the Valletta Waterfront Shop only, or by calling 79680952 or sending an email to [email protected].
On Tuesday 12 December, a concert for the elderly will be organised at the Chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family. The audience will come from St Vincent De Paule home and Parliamentary Secretary Helen D’Amato will preside over the concert. After Mass, the ethnic group Nafra and soprano Marita Bezzina accompanied by Ramona Zammit Formosa on the piano will be singing Neapolitan songs and Christmas carols.
On Thursday 14 December 2006, Barocca Cultural Events will be organising another exclusive concert for persons with disabilities at the same venue were Soprano Marita Bezzina accompanied by Ramona Zammit Formosa will be singing Christmas carols. The audience will come from Dar il-Kaptan and San Miguel School in Pembroke.
On Sunday 24 December, the Waterfront will host traditional Christmas carols and songs interpreted by the well known Versatile Brass Band. This band has grown bigger in size and success since the year 2000 when they represented Malta in the Expo 2000 in Germany.
Their vast repertoire makes this ensemble renowned for playing different kinds of music from pop to jazz and also some classical numbers.. A number of local singers such as Augusto Cardinale, Natasha and Charlene, and Ludwig Galea will also be giving their performance during the night.
After the performance, Midnight Mass will then be held at the Chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family.
On Sunday 31 December, Ta’ Ciangura Folk Group will entertain the audience with their folklore dancing together with the Versatile Brass Band. This folklore group consists of around 20 dancers aged between 14 and 50, where their movements together with the Maltese traditional music, will take the audience back to old times. A number of local singers such as J Anvil, Hooligan, Augusto Cardinale and Ludwig Galea will once again entertain the audience until the final countdown to the year 2007.
Throughout the festive season, Santa Claus will also be distributing gifts to all those children who will be visiting the Valletta Waterfront on Thursday 21 December from 1pm to 5pm, Friday 22 December from 8pm to 10pm, Saturday 23 December from 6pm to 10pm and Sunday 24 December from 8pm to midnight.
These Christmas activities will undoubtedly provide a new and interesting experience with which to kick off this year’s festive season. Valletta Waterfront is one of the most impressive locations in Malta and filled with the traditional sounds and sights of Christmas, it will surely bring out the Christmas spirit in all those who visit.