The time for Victoria to celebrate the feast of St George has once again arrived and the Gozitan city is gearing up for these popular festivities.

La Stella Philharmonic Society is at the moment preparing innovations for this popular feast which will be celebrated between 10 and 16 July, starting with the traditional horse races, moving on to pyrotechnical displays, special video-graphic features, and a special show involving pyrotechnics and paper which has proved to be very popular after its debut last year.

No less than 10 Maltese and four Gozitan bands, apart from the La Stella Philharmonic itself, will take part in marches and symphonic programmes, including both of Valletta's bands, namely La Vallette Philharmonic and King's Own Philharmonic, with the latter enjoying an historical affinity with St George's feast.

Once again, the La Stella Band has issued a CD recording containing the new set of marches which will be played for the first time on Wednesday, 12 July. The feast reaches its peak on the evening of Sunday, 16 July, where the solemn procession with the statue of St George, carved in wood by Mro Pietro Paolo Azzopardi will take place, being introduced by the celebrated hymn Al Glorioso Martire composed by Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella and played by La Stella band along with a strong female chorus accompanied by Italian soloists under the direction of Mro Prof. Joseph Vella, the band's musical director.

The programme for both Liturgical and external festivities can be viewed on www.lastella.com.mt