HSBC Bank Malta plc is the main sponsor of Il-Festa, an event being organised by the Victoria Local Council to celebrate the New Year and Malta’s accession to the Eurozone. The event will culminate with the EURO New Year’s Eve Party, which is being staged in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and NECC and will be video-linked live with the festivities being held at Valletta’s Grand Harbour.

Il-Festa incorporates a whole programme of musical activities that are free of charge, ranging from Christmas carol singing, traditional bands’ concerts to folk and contemporary music, that have been running from Monday 17 December. More info about the programme on www.victoria.org.mt

With regards to the EURO New Year’s Eve Party celebration, the main attractions will be taking place in Independence Square and linking in Republic Street, Saint George’s Square and Savina Square with big screens and other minor activities, so that people including families, will be able to stroll around. Local and foreign groups as well as DJs and dancing companies will be entertaining the large audiences that are expected to attend.

“HSBC has always given particular attention to Gozo. Apart from the various sponsorships that the Bank has given over the years to support various worthwhile causes, we are also delighted that HSBC is opening our Gozo Service Centre at Xewkija giving employment to 50 Gozitans in Gozo. This will be inaugurated in early 2008,” said Mrs Sally Robson, chief operating officer of HSBC Malta.

“Now, HSBC is also sponsoring this major double celebratory occasion welcoming both the New Year 2008 and the country’s accession to the Eurozone in Gozo so that Gozitans and others spending their holidays in Gozo will enjoy a great night in Victoria that will long be remembered,”said Mrs Robson.