DESTINATIONS — MALTA
Notte Bianca: arts after dark
The streets and cultural venues around Valletta open their doors for most of the night and put on art exhibitions, dance and theatre performances. Streets and squares become venues for open-air concerts, while many cafes and restaurants open later.” That late-night magic is
recreated a week later at Birgufest, from October 10-12 this year, which includes the enchanting Birgu by Candlelight
evening when the town’s historic architecture is lit up by thousands of candles on the streets. The festival includes historical re-enactments, discounted museum entrance and one-off openings of historic buildings.
l CARNIVAL AND FESTA While Brits mark the lead-up
to Lent with pancakes, Malta gears up for a far grander affair: carnival. It’s no Rio, but from February 13-17 next year, expect big costumes, bigger floats and plenty of people in party mood across the hotspots of Valletta, Floriana and Nadur in Gozo. Belleair Holidays’ Alexia Ganotaki says: “Carnival week takes on a traditional pattern: extravagantly coloured floats, children in fancy costumes, and Malta’s main nightlife centre, Paceville, sees carnival-goers pile into clubs and bars still wearing their
outrageous outfits.” The other main event
of the Christian calendar is Christmas, when visitors will find themselves ensconced in a festive fairytale – think candlelit carols at the magnificent St John’s Co- Cathedral in Valletta, processions of Mary and Joseph through the streets, and ever-more elaborate
nativity displays designed by each village church. Aside from these main events,
there aren’t many weekends between May and September when at least one town or village isn’t celebrating its patron saint with a traditional festa. As well as colourful banners and statues in public spaces, villagers decorate their houses with lights and flower garlands, and often finish the day with a fireworks display. Classic Collection’s favourite is the festa of Santa Maria in Mosta on August 15, which is also a public holiday as several other communities celebrate their saints that day. Their fireworks displays can be seen across the island, but especially on the higher ground of Mdina, where elegant property The Xara Palace is located. For the official Fireworks
Festival in April, though, the best viewing spots are Ta’ Liesse and Barriera Wharf for a display commemorating Malta’s accession into the EU in 2004. TW
4 September 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 75
TOP TIP Thomson
Excursions offers a village festa tour from seven Malta resorts, priced £16.99/£6.99
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