In addition to a lengthy and attractive programme of events lined up for this year’s Mellieha Nights three-day event, this year’s edition will have an international flavour.
These include the local council signing a twinning agreement between Mellieha and the Cypriot town of Agia Napa, a presentation of the EDEN EU award to the council and a special performance by Italian saxophonist Francesco Cafiso.
Cafiso, who will be performing with his group, the Island Blue Quartet, recently performed during President Obama’s swearing-in ceremony and at a concert in honour of Martin Luther King Jr earlier this year.
The second edition of Mellieha Nights, organised by the Mellieha Local Council, will be held between 11 and 13 September with the main activities taking place in Main Street and Gorg Borg Olivier Street (Mellieha’s main streets), Parish Square, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha Courtyard and Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa Gwanni Pawlu II.
Programme of events
Thursday, 10 September from 8pm onwards:
Soft opening of “Mellieha Nights 2009”
Signing of Torri l-Abjad Fortification Devolution Agreement with Jason Azzopardi – Parliamentary Secretary for Lands
Musical Gheruqna at Sanctuary Courtyard. Composer: Mro Paul Abela; Lyrics: Can Noel Saliba
Friday, 11 September from 7pm onwards:
Official opening of “Mellieha Nights 2009”
Inauguration of ‘Agricultural and Fisheries Exhibition’ by Minister George Pullicino with the participation of La Vittoria Band Club
Celebration of EDEN Award
Concert by guest star Francesco Cafiso (on the main stage in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha Courtyard)
Signing of the Twinning Agreement between Mellieha and Agia Napa, Cyprus (on main stage at Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha Courtyard) by Mayor of Mellieha Robert Cutajar and Mayor of Agia Napa Antonis Tsokkos
Special guests: Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi and Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information
Saturday, 12 September from 8.30am onwards:
Clean-up activity around Mellieha
Angling competition for local fishermen at Tunnara Museum area
4pm: Launching of “30 Hours Sports` Marathon” in aid of Puttinu Cares at Mellieha Parish Square
From 8pm onwards: Solo concerts by Mellieha musicians –Conductor: Mro Paul Abela
Pageant: ‘Il-Bejjiegha u x-Xerrejja fl-Imghoddi’ by Mellieha Stage Friends
Dog Show
Musical Programme by the Choral and Orchestral Society Junior Choir and Orchestra
Kids` Animation and Street Performance
Playmobil Village
Musical performances by Cyprus and Georgia Folk Groups
Operatic concert with the participation of soprano Andriana Fenech Yordanova, tenor Joseph Aquilina, Austrian baritone Ali Rieger accompanied by Bulgarian pianist Zhanet Benun
Sunday, 14 September from 9.30am onwards
Laying of the commemorative stone of an embellishment project near the Primary School by the Mellieha Local Council
2.30pm: Heritage Walk at Majjistral Park, Manikata
From 8pm onwards:
Concert by Imperial Band Club Choir
Musical ‘El Mellaha … Grajjietha’ (The Story of Mellieha – Composed by Philip Vella, lyrics by Jimmy Muscat, Anthony Fenech and Philip Vella)
Sports Activities and Children’s Activities
Performance by Salmel Folk Group
Playmobil Village
Belly Dancing show
Musical performances by Cyprus and Georgia Folk Groups
‘Mellieha Nights 2009’ Gran Final with the participation of La Barokka, JAMM, Cyprus Folklore Group.