The fourth edition of The Malta Military Tattoo is on this weekend, tomorrow and Sunday, at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta` Qali.
This year’s highlights are:
The Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, led by the artistic director, Honoured Artist of Russia, Colonel Andrey Kolotushkin. The carefully selected repertoire of Russian classical and modern music plus the virtuosity and high professionalism of its musicians have become the band’s trademarks that have won the favour of listeners, not only in Russia but in all continents of the world.
The Central Military Band participates in all social and cultural events in Russia. These include the inauguration of the President of Russia, annual military parades in Red Square, concerts on the most prestigious stages of the Russian capital for Moscow Garrison servicemen, workers and veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the Armed Forces. The band has performed in Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the USA, France and Sweden with great remarkable success.
The Durham ACF Borneo Band from England goes from strength to strength and in three years has developed from bugles and drums to a full military band. The emergence of the Borneo Band as one of the best is largely due to the hard work of Captain Gerry Christie and his staff. A busy programme keeps the band moving around the country with engagements ranging from the Remembrance Day Parade in Durham City to the Sunderland Air Show.
The Dutch Pipes and Drums Band with Highland Dancers was set up in May 1953 as a youth bagpipe band “De Scotjes” (Wee Scotsman). The band is regularly invited to perform at tattoos and other performances, not only within the Netherlands, but also in foreign countries. Due to their coloured Scottish uniforms and also the typical sound of the Scottish bagpipes and drums they are a welcome supplement to the other bands on parade. In 2005 they performed in The Netherlands Military Tattoo together with two Scottish Pipe Bands and one Canadian Pipe Band during all the eight shows, making up the largest Scottish component. The band is also proud to present its own group of Highland Dancers, which is unique in The Netherlands and is a welcome supplement to the typical Scottish culture which the Dutch Pipes and Drums portray.
This year the local participation includes, Wallace Pipes and Drums, 1st Hamrun Scout Band, EnKor Choir Malta, the Malta Police Precision Team, Malta Police Band, the Armed Forces of Malta Band.
Tickets at Lm8 (EUR18.63) and Lm5 (EUR11.65) are on sale from all the following retail outlets – Exotique, Agenda Bookshops, Bookends, Topline and from Tourist Information Centres. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on a first come first served basis. To avoid disappointment it is advisable to purchase tickets before. Ticket Hotline: www.maltaticket.com.