† The Festival has now been postponed Friday May 1, and Saturday May 2 due to mechanical faults developed by ship transporting the fireworks.  In the circumstances the foreign fireworks displays would not have arrived on time for the Festival.

Malta International Fireworks Festival 2009 launched

The Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority will be organising the 8th edition of the Malta International Fireworks Festival. The Grand Harbour will once again provide the perfect setting for this event, which will take place on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1 Friday May 1 and Saturday May2. †

The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Hon. Dr Mario de Marco announced this at a news conference, saying that the festival will also serve as part of the commemorative events to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Malta’s European Union accession.

Dr de Marco said that the event highlights a local tradition which is very popular with tourists and is a great opening to what tourists and locals can expect to see during the Festa season. He added that it is important that further events are held, not only on a national level, but also on a locality level, to ensure that the tourism product on offer builds also on the traditions and heritage of our islands.

He added that MTA promotes this event – together with other events such as the P1 powerboat races and the Isle of MTV concert – with tour operators as well as online; as part of a calendar of events which is crucial for Malta’s promotion overseas.

The Malta Tourism Authority’s CEO, Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, gave details of the programme for this year’s Festival. On each of the two evenings, the festival will kick off at 2130 hrs with a 15-minute fireworks display, designed by a foreign pyrotechnic company. This will be followed by a set of fireworks displays from eleven local factories in a ‘one by one’ competitive series of displays. This is meant to involve, more than ever before, the local pyrotechnic enthusiasts. For each category, there is a trophy as well as prize money to be won. A fireworks display synchronized to music will close the event on each evening.

Ta’ Liesse / Lascaris Wharf, as well as the upper reaches of the bastions that surround Malta’s capital, with their commanding views over Grand Harbour, are the best locations for viewing the displays.

The participating local firework factories are:

• Lily Fireworks Factory – Mqabba,
• Lourdes Fireworks Factory – Naxxar,
• Mt Carmel Fireworks Factory – Żurrieq,
• Our Lady of Consolation Fireworks Factory – Gudja,
• San Bastjan Fireworks Factory – Qormi,
• San Bert Fireworks Factory – Għargħur,
• San Mikiel Fireworks Factory – Ħal Lija,
• San Nikola Fireworks Factory – Siġġiewi,
• Santa Marija Fireworks Factory – Għaxaq,
• Santa Marija Fireworks Factory – Mġarr,
• St Andrew Fireworks Factory – Luqa

Participating Foreign Pyrotechnic Companies:

• Proformance Pyrotechnics – Australia;
• Vaccalluzzo Zio Piro – Italy;
• Nakaja Art – Poland;

The MTA would also like to thank a number of organisations assisting in the logistical aspect of the Fireworks Festival, namely, the Għaqda Piroteknika Maltija, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Police Corps (especially the ALE); the Civil Protection Department; the Malta Maritime Authority, the Malta Transport Authority, and the Birgu Local Council; as well as the main sponsors for the event: Farsons, Nexos and VISET.

---

For further information one may phone on 2291 5440/1 or 2369 6073/4; send an email to info@visitmalta.com; or visit www.visitmalta.com.