CITTA' MAGICA

The Malta Tourism Authority and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, together with the Valletta Business Community (GRTU) will be organising the second edition of the CITTA MAGICA on Saturday, 9th January 2010.

This event is a must for all those who love shopping, eating out, good music... On the day, Valletta will provide a unique setting as its squares and streets will be transformed into open air theatres offering an eclectic mix of music, talent and entertainment for all the family.

Christmas in Malta

Christmas is a highly celebrated festivity in Malta and Gozo, both as a popular event for people of all ages, as well as an important date on the religious calendar.

The season is celebrated to its full on the Islands; nativity scenes, displays of cribs, carol services and other events are organised in each locality.

For a very special, spiritual evening, join the congregation at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for candlelit carol singing. Other Baroque parish churches across the Islands are just as awe-inspiring during advent. Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches have a calendar of events, ranging from the procession of Mary and Joseph, to streets with groups of children carol singing.

The ALARME ! re-enactment is held on the third Sunday of the month in February, March, April, May, June, October and November and starts at 11.00 hrs. The 50 minute re-enactment portrays military skirmishes between Maltese militia and Napoleon’s troops aided by a narration that describes the historical background of 1798 – 1800.

IL-GOSTRA

During the height of summer, when it is customary to hold feasts (festi) throughout Malta and Gozo, a popular game near the seaside is that of the gostra or greasy pole which today, in the face of other more popular and more modern sports, still forms an essential element in the customs and traditions of Malta's folklore.


The word itself derives from the Italian giostra. The latter has a different meaning to that practised in Malta, as it refers to the mediaeval tournament of the jousts while the one in Malta deals with a sea sport with a greasy pole.