This year’s Ball of the August Moon will take place on Saturday 21 August 2021, President George Vella announced on Wednesday. The event will be held at the Verdala Palace gardens. This will be the third edition being organised under the Presidency of President George Vella and the second with restrictions in the context of Covid-19.
During a press conference held at Sant’Anton Palace, Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, Chairman of the Ball’s Organising Committee, gave details about the event and stressed that the ball will be held in full compliance with the directives issued by the health authorities, with whom the organisers are in constant contact. He mentioned that one of the changes this year is the date, which was chosen to be later in August with the hope that the situation regarding the pandemic will have improved and coincided with the eve of a full moon. Additionally, the music during the ball, during which there will be no dancing, will be played by the bands of the Armed Forces of Malta and the Malta Police Force.
President George Vella thanked Marchesino de Petri Testaferrata and the rest of the members of the organising committee who, for the second year in a row, had to face more difficulties than usual to keep this tradition alive and continue to raise the much-needed funds in aid of the Community Chest Fund. He also thanked the sponsors, as well as the bands of the Police and Armed Forces.
“We have made all the necessary sacrifices, we have done whatever was needed, to be in line with the law and to have the peace of mind that we will not be creating issues or leading to undesired consequences. Last year, we took all the measures. I am satisfied with the fact that nothing bad happened and things ran smoothly, and I hope that will be the case again this year,” said the President. While expressing hope that the situation regarding the pandemic will continue to improve, he made clear that, should things get worse or if the health authorities advise the organisers to cancel the ball, it will be cancelled.
Tickets are on sale for €100 per person and may be purchased online from the website www.augustmoonball.com.