Monday, December 28, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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 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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
St Publius enters Valletta
Thousands of Roman Catholics flocked to Valletta last night to witness the historic moment when Floriana's statue of St Publius entered the capital city for the first time.
The majestic statue was carried into City Gate and through Republic Street to loud applause and enthusiasm, while Valletta's equally majestic statue of St Paul was carried on a tour of the city.
The two then 'met' outside St John's Co-Cathedral, as young and old gathered in droves to witness the event, organised to mark the end of the Pauline Year.
Supporters of each saint filled the streets and sang their individual anthems while passionately praising their own saint as "the greatest". The coming together of the two statues was symbolic of the arrival of St Paul who was welcomed to Malta by St Publius after his shipwreck in 60 AD.
As the story goes, St Publius was then converted and became the first archbishop of the island as the two saints converted the rest of the island to Christianity.
The unifying activity between the two rival towns was organised by the Archbishop's Curia. A similar event has only happened once before, in 1960, when the two statues were brought together at the Floriana Granaries.
An open-air Pontifical Mass was said by the Pope's special envoy, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, in the presence of the country's highest authorities, to mark the end of the Pauline Year that celebrated the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul.
Similar celebrations have been held in the seven countries St Paul visited during his lifetime.
Archbishop Paul Cremona said the Maltese would celebrate the 1950th anniversary of St Paul's arrival next year and would do so with the same enthusiasm as they did the Pauline Year.
The majestic statue was carried into City Gate and through Republic Street to loud applause and enthusiasm, while Valletta's equally majestic statue of St Paul was carried on a tour of the city.
The two then 'met' outside St John's Co-Cathedral, as young and old gathered in droves to witness the event, organised to mark the end of the Pauline Year.
Supporters of each saint filled the streets and sang their individual anthems while passionately praising their own saint as "the greatest". The coming together of the two statues was symbolic of the arrival of St Paul who was welcomed to Malta by St Publius after his shipwreck in 60 AD.
As the story goes, St Publius was then converted and became the first archbishop of the island as the two saints converted the rest of the island to Christianity.
The unifying activity between the two rival towns was organised by the Archbishop's Curia. A similar event has only happened once before, in 1960, when the two statues were brought together at the Floriana Granaries.
An open-air Pontifical Mass was said by the Pope's special envoy, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, in the presence of the country's highest authorities, to mark the end of the Pauline Year that celebrated the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul.
Similar celebrations have been held in the seven countries St Paul visited during his lifetime.
Archbishop Paul Cremona said the Maltese would celebrate the 1950th anniversary of St Paul's arrival next year and would do so with the same enthusiasm as they did the Pauline Year.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
FOLKLORE
Like all other countries with a long tradition of interaction among people, Malta has a rich element of folk life. Some Maltese traditions are closely related to Catholic Mediterranean folklore, however, there are several aspects which work either independently from organized religion, and sometimes even counter to the religious beliefs. The folk music and singing tradition of Malta is a good example of Maltese Folklore not associated with Christianity. There have been various attempts to capture folk life in publications and museums, but as any modern folklorist will tell you, folklore is best preserved in living traditions.
Monday, June 15, 2009
In Guardia Parade in Valletta
IN GUARDIA PARADE 2009
Pageantry and Processions , Family Entertainment, Cultural- 04/01/2009 to 27/12/2009
The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a historical re-enactment that portrays an authentic historical event set in the late 16th – early 17th century. The re-enactment depicts the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John who was in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment the fort's garrison (some 70 characters in all) is dressed in its best uniforms to demonstrate its military prowess. The show starts at 11:00hrs and lasts some 40 minutes.
Pageantry and Processions , Family Entertainment, Cultural- 04/01/2009 to 27/12/2009
The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a historical re-enactment that portrays an authentic historical event set in the late 16th – early 17th century. The re-enactment depicts the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John who was in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment the fort's garrison (some 70 characters in all) is dressed in its best uniforms to demonstrate its military prowess. The show starts at 11:00hrs and lasts some 40 minutes.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
There are a number of attractive walks in Malta & Gozo - below you will find listed a number of relarively easy and interesting walks.
The season for walks is autumn to spring - the weather won't be so hot and the country side turns green and wild flowers will be blossoming.
You can explore the hidden and secluded areas around the island. You will discover stunning views and hidden valleys. You will come across wayside chapels and old forts. You will find villages that have remained practically un untouched where old men and women still work the fields and small flocks of sheep and goats crossing the village streets or grazing in the fields.What many people do is go to a village,go to the Church square - have a look in the Church as they always worth visiting - then set off on foot out of the village and jut follow some narrow lane used by farmers.
If you at Mellieha go for a walk to the Red Tower and again be stunned by the scenery. It is unobstructed with views of Gozo, Comino and Ghadira. The cliffs of Dingli are fascinating and you can walk all along. In fact you can walk to the Girgenti Palace and on to Siggiewi.
Basically, if you have a car www.driftercarhire.com or www.247autorentals.com you can just drive and stop when you see a stunning view . The area in the vicinity is usually good for a walk.
If these walks seem too much effort while on holiday, just take the easy way out and stroll along the various sea front promenades to your heart`s content.
The season for walks is autumn to spring - the weather won't be so hot and the country side turns green and wild flowers will be blossoming.
You can explore the hidden and secluded areas around the island. You will discover stunning views and hidden valleys. You will come across wayside chapels and old forts. You will find villages that have remained practically un untouched where old men and women still work the fields and small flocks of sheep and goats crossing the village streets or grazing in the fields.What many people do is go to a village,go to the Church square - have a look in the Church as they always worth visiting - then set off on foot out of the village and jut follow some narrow lane used by farmers.
If you at Mellieha go for a walk to the Red Tower and again be stunned by the scenery. It is unobstructed with views of Gozo, Comino and Ghadira. The cliffs of Dingli are fascinating and you can walk all along. In fact you can walk to the Girgenti Palace and on to Siggiewi.
Basically, if you have a car www.driftercarhire.com or www.247autorentals.com you can just drive and stop when you see a stunning view . The area in the vicinity is usually good for a walk.
If these walks seem too much effort while on holiday, just take the easy way out and stroll along the various sea front promenades to your heart`s content.
malta
The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, as well as countless megaliths,medieval dungeons and atmospheric towns and villages. Meandering streets contain renaissance cathedrals and Baroque places. Malta is the largest island. Rural Gozo is next in size. Expansive beaches, vibrant nightlife and 700 years of history lure visitors to these Mediterranean isles. Don't miss the Unesco-designated Hypogeum ruins and St. Hohn's Co-Cathedral, with its Caravaggio master pieces.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Good Friday and Easter in Birgu
The Good Friday procession in Birgu used to take part before 1749/50; this procession was not complete with the statues as we know it today. Since 1975 this procession in Birgu has taken a form of a pageant with the traditional unique statues including personages dressed in robes of biblical characters of both Testaments. Very recently in 1999 even women took part on show with these beautiful robes in the procession. The earlier statues that were brought from Spain were the responsibility of Maltese seafarers after seeing Good Friday processions in Barcellona Spain with statues dressed in real attire in a Spanish style. They were so impressed with the statues that they brought over some like them to Malta in Birgu. The Good Friday procession is a liturgical activity to commemorate the Passion and Death of Our lord Jesus Christ, this solemn and mourning event changes to a real joy on the Resurrection of Christ because Easter is the climax of this great event.
Four types of processions
During the Good Friday Week in Birgu used to organize four types of processions and these used to start from different churches and chapels. The first one used to take place on Holy Wednesday and started from Mount Carmel church at the wharf. This procession was known as the Black Procession because the seamen employed with the fleet of the Order of the Knights took part in it. They accompanied with black attire and with faces concealed, this was the sole reason why the name Black Procession was organized. The crews of the Order’s galleys took part in this procession. There used to be included baptized slaves, forzati and even condemned individuals for any crime wearing and dragging a chain. In fact this had been the origin of the practice that survived to this day with penitents in the procession dragging by each heel a heavy length of iron chain.Another procession used to start from the Annunciation church on Maundy Thursday, and on Good Friday two other processions used to take part, one started from the Greek chapel and in the evening another one took part and used to start from the Parish church of St Lawrence. The chapel of the Greek community was dedicated to Our Lady of Damascus where today stands the Church Museum in the oratory of St Joseph. All these processions do not take part any more today and they stopped functioning in 1869 and today only one is left, the one from the Parish church.
The Good Friday procession in Birgu used to take part before 1749/50; this procession was not complete with the statues as we know it today. Since 1975 this procession in Birgu has taken a form of a pageant with the traditional unique statues including personages dressed in robes of biblical characters of both Testaments. Very recently in 1999 even women took part on show with these beautiful robes in the procession. The earlier statues that were brought from Spain were the responsibility of Maltese seafarers after seeing Good Friday processions in Barcellona Spain with statues dressed in real attire in a Spanish style. They were so impressed with the statues that they brought over some like them to Malta in Birgu. The Good Friday procession is a liturgical activity to commemorate the Passion and Death of Our lord Jesus Christ, this solemn and mourning event changes to a real joy on the Resurrection of Christ because Easter is the climax of this great event.
Four types of processions
During the Good Friday Week in Birgu used to organize four types of processions and these used to start from different churches and chapels. The first one used to take place on Holy Wednesday and started from Mount Carmel church at the wharf. This procession was known as the Black Procession because the seamen employed with the fleet of the Order of the Knights took part in it. They accompanied with black attire and with faces concealed, this was the sole reason why the name Black Procession was organized. The crews of the Order’s galleys took part in this procession. There used to be included baptized slaves, forzati and even condemned individuals for any crime wearing and dragging a chain. In fact this had been the origin of the practice that survived to this day with penitents in the procession dragging by each heel a heavy length of iron chain.Another procession used to start from the Annunciation church on Maundy Thursday, and on Good Friday two other processions used to take part, one started from the Greek chapel and in the evening another one took part and used to start from the Parish church of St Lawrence. The chapel of the Greek community was dedicated to Our Lady of Damascus where today stands the Church Museum in the oratory of St Joseph. All these processions do not take part any more today and they stopped functioning in 1869 and today only one is left, the one from the Parish church.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Azzure window
The official global website of New7Wonders is promoting the Azure Window to be nominated as one of the new seven wonders of the World. San Lawrenz Local Council and the Goverment of Malta is supporting this nomination. Trough this Group we are gently asking you to vote for this nomination and invite your friends to vote on this link http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/europe/c/AzureWindow/
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