When BOV Streets Alive was launched last year, it was the first initiative of its kind that sought to create a series of evening events in Valletta with the objective of promoting the capital for evening leisure and commercial activity.
Today, the second edition of BOV Streets Alive was officially launched with an extended programme that will run for six consecutive Fridays starting on 20 July and ending on 24 August. People who visit Valletta during these six Friday evenings will enjoy a wide-ranging programme of entertainment and events in the streets of Valletta. BOV Streets Alive will also provide an opportunity for evening shopping in Valletta with a number of outlets staying open late during the BOV Streets Alive events.
BOV Streets Alive is an initiative of the Valletta Alive Foundation and Bank of Valletta. The official programme was announced by Alfred Zahra, chairman of the Valletta Alive Foundation at a news conference that was addressed by Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for Tourism and Culture, and Charles Borg, executive head at the CEO’s Office at Bank of Valletta.
Martin Morana, events manager of BOV Streets Alive, gave details of the programme and explained that this year’s was designed around a number of themes and every Friday evening would be different.
Valletta Kreattiva will be the first theme of BOV Streets Alive on 20 July – the main highlight of the evening will be an arts exhibition at St George’s Square in front of the President’s Palace. The Versatile Brass Band at Great Siege Square will also animate the evening.
The second Friday, Valletta Kulinarja, will consist of a food fair and exhibition of local and international cuisine al fresco at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The Mark Spiteri Lucas Band will entertain the crowds.
The third Friday’s theme is Valletta Storika, consisting of a static exhibition of WWII military vehicles stationed at St George’s Square, a very appropriate place, as it was here that the George Cross was presented to the People of Malta in 1942.
The elegance of Valletta will again be highlighted in the fourth Friday of BOV Streets Alive. The architecture, palaces and squares of Valletta will serve as the perfect backdrop for select activities which will bring to light the elegance of the city. A fashion show of international designer wear will be held, while some of the most impressive palaces in Valletta will be open for the public.
Arguably the most romantic streets of the city, St Ursula Street, St John’s Street and Sta Lucia Street will be candle lit on the occasion of Valletta Romantika, which will be the fifth evening of BOV Streets Alive. A romantic atmosphere will also be created in the city, including the tunes of CantaNapoli at the Upper Barrakka Gardens – a show of Neapolitan song and melodies and excerpts from operettas by the Valletta Dramatic Company.
The last Friday of BOV Streets Alive will consist of a number of activities in which the public will be welcome to participate – there will fun games for everyone who is young at heart as well as other games to enjoy watching such as a waiter race.
Apart from all these events, there will also be treasure hunts, guided tours and even various exhibitions of classical, Ferrari as well as modified cars. The events on every Friday of BOV Streets Alive start at 7pm.