Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna through its partnership with Bank of Valletta is organizing a WWI weekend at Fort Rinella in Kalkara on the 100th Anniversary of the Great War.
The event, being held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November 2014 between 10.00 and 17.30hrs will also feature the firing of the 100 ton gun.
For this event, Fort Rinellawill take us back 100 years with a full-scale infantry trench complete with barbed wire entanglements in the grounds of the fort and a 20 men detachment kitted in British WW1 kit. A full-scale WW1 battle scene will be re-enacted starting at 14.00hrs.
This event is being complemented by a military headgearexhibition covering over 1,000 years of military gear evolution, the display of a genuine WW1 Vickers 18-pdr field gun, interactive displays about WW1 trench warfare and informative talks about period weaponry and equipment.
The event was launched by Mario Farrugia, CEO at Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Michael Galea, Chief Officer, Operations at Bank of Valletta.
'Although lacking front-line action,Malta played an active role during World War I with over 30,000 people participating in the war effort, from a total population of under 200,000' said MrFarrugia. ''From her role as the nurse of the Mediterranean, the Maltese also participated by enlisting in the Royal Air Force and Royal Naval Reserve, minesweeping, submarine warfare and ship-building.'
'WWI is symbolized by trench warfare, and this event aims to bring the hardships and strife of this period to life,' continued MrFarrugia. 'The smell of rotting corpses and exposed latrines, the constant threat of a gas attack or enemy advance, rats and body lice, mud and disease were among the factors that the trench warriors had to face to conserve our freedom. In this event, we try to give the visitor a snapshot of the life that soldiers had to endure on days on end during the great war.'
"We are delighted to partner with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and support the professional organization of re-enactments that showcase Malta's rich cultural heritage and promote the appreciation of our history," said Mr. Galea. "Bank of Valletta's long term partnership with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artnais of support to the Foundation's efforts to restore historic sites around the Maltese islands and to create awareness of different eras of Maltese history," added Mr. Galea. He congratulated the team at FondazzjoniWirt Artna for their commitment and dedication that are resulting in events of such high quality that can be enjoyed by Maltese and tourists alike.
Program of the event:
Gas mask display: 10.00am-17.00pm (throughout the day in between displays)
Bayonet Exercises: 11.30hrs
Sword Exercises: 12.30hrs
Lunch break: 13.00 - 14.00hrs
Foot Drill Display: 14.00hrs
Cavalry Display (including tent-pegging competition): 14.30hrs
Battle simulation: 15.30hrs
Firing of the 100-ton gun: 17.00hrs
Opening to public: 10.00hrs
Entrance fees: Adults/AOPs & students: €10, Children u/16yrs: €2 Free to all paid up FWA members