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23/04/2013
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BIRGUFEST
An extravaganza of music, candlelight, performances, food and fun for all the family
Mid October will see the unsurpassable BirguFest event taking place in Birgu, one of The Three Cities of the Cottonera region in Malta. Now a staple cultural event and festival within the national calendar, Birgufest lures great numbers of locals and visitors alike, all seeking to discover more about this very old city. This is understandable since so much goes on during these few magical evenings at Birgu, alias Vittoriosa. As the weather starts to cool off, people gather to share in the varied events that are organised to suit diverse tastes and preferences. Music is performed by local and foreign bands of varying genres, choirs sing chorales and more. Candles are lit in their hundreds and old buildings are opened to public. The aim is to highlight the city's historic heritage and architectural beauty as well as lighting it up in a suggestive manner that takes visitors back in time. A great deal of insight into the location's history is gained through the various historic re-enactments that take place
around Birgu with costume and role-playing taking over the streets. Then there are discounted museum entrances, the open churches with all their grandeur and the open Auberges that reminisce back to the times of the Knights who had selected this city as their first seat of residence in Malta. For film buffs, the short but intense film festival is an alternative option. The onus is on promoting this ancient city and on generating intense interest in the historical heritage of Vittoriosa, whilst providing entertainment to suit most. Block the weekend from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October on your diary and retrieve more information via the Birgu Local Council website www.birgu.gov.mt, or by calling the council offices on 21662166 or 79662166.
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Images: Š Birgu Local Council
CELEBRATING
VERDI IN GOZO
Image: Teatru Astra
Image: Teatru Aurora
Think opera, think Gozo. Come October, the island's opera season beckons and this year, it is all about Verdi. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s birth, the island's opera buffs are proposing two iconic operas of the 19th Century created by this exceptional Italian composer. Otello After a time lapse of one entire decade, the dramatic opera Otello will be presented once more at the Teatru Astra, in Victoria. Being such an important opera, incidentally based on Shakespeare's 'Othello', it was selected to open the 12th edition of ‘Mediterranea’, an annual Gozitan festival of culture that contributes to highlight Gozo’s potential in the cultural field. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the Teatru Astra Opera Chorus and internationally renowned singers have been invited to participate in what was Verdi's penultimate operatic composition. Maltese conductor Prof. Joseph Vella will be conducting the spectacular production from artistic director Enrico Stinchelli. The chorus will be directed by Dr Maria Frendo. OTELLO - Teatru Astra -Thursday October 24 and Saturday October 26, 2013. 7.30pm
Falstaff Verdi's Falstaff will be presented for the first time in Gozo at Victoria's Teatru tal-Opra Aurora. This opera buffa, which will be presented under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Dr George Abela, President of Malta, is just one of several high profile events which shall be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Leone Philharmonic Society. This was Gozo’s first musical society, owner and proprietor of the Aurora Opera House and one of Gozo's key musical and cultural promoters. Colin Attard will conduct the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra whilst Novella Tabili will be entrusted with the set and artistic direction. Italian-born tenor Paolo Gavanelli will interpret the Falstaff title role as he did in Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, London. FALSTAFF - Teatru tal-Opra Aurora - Saturday October 12, 2013. 7.30pm.
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GOZO EVENTS DURING OCTOBER 1-6
4-6 4-26
Paintings by Henry Alamango. Banca Giuratale Foyer, Independence Square, Victoria. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com Festubru. Lunzjata Valley, Victoria. 99426047 – www.bandasangirgor.org Sculptures by Nicholette Vella. Exhibition Hall, Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria. 22156400 – www.gozo.gov.mt
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Feast of Jesus of the Nazarene, Xagħra.
21560813 13
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Santa Luċija – Kerçem. 99841080 – www.santalucija.com
24/26 Giuseppe Verdi’s Opera – Otello. Astra Theatre, Victoria. www.mediterranea.com.mt 25
Guided Tour at Ħaġar Museum and a site visit to St. George’s Basilica. St. George’s Basilica, Victoria. 12:00 www.mediterranea.com.mt
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Commemorative Lecture on the 200th Anniversary of Verdi’s Birth. Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria. 19:00. www.mediterranea.com.mt
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The Vines of San Mitri. Tal-Massar Vineyards, Għarb. 9:00. www.mediterranea.com.mt
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Coat of Arms of the Island Region of Gozo Exhibition. Banca Giuratale Foyer, Independence Square, Victoria. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com
Feast of the Holy Eucharist known as ‘Il-Kwaranturi’, Qala. 21556684
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Tifkira tal-Għarqa – Commemoration of the 1948 tragic shipwreck at Qala, Mġarr. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com
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Falstaff – Opera in 3 acts by Giuseppe Verdi. 19:30. Aurora Opera House, Victoria. 21562974 – www.leone.org.mt
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Jum Għawdex – Gozo Regional Day Commemoration. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com
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Feast of the Patronage of Our Lady, Għasri. 21556833
30
Gozo Book Fair 2013. Exhibition Hall, Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria. 22156400 – www.gozo.gov.mt
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Procession of Our Lady of the Rosary. Qala, Żebbuġ and Xagħra. Qala: 21556684 – www.qala.gov.mt, Żebbuġ: 21554882 – www.zebbuggozo.com, Xagħra: 21551042 – www.xaghraparish.org
Paintings by Joe Engerer. Banca Giuratale Foyer, Independence Square, Victoria. 22156700 www.gozoculture.com
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‘Torti’ - Traditional Pies
Image: © Lorraine Caruana
WHAT BETTER WAY TO ENTICE A FAMILY AROUND THE TABLE THAN WITH A MOUTH-WATERING HOME BAKED PIE? MALTESE TRADITIONAL COOKING INCLUDES SEVERAL DIFFERENT PIES WHICH ARE MADE IN DIFFERENT TIMES OF YEAR ACCORDING TO WHATEVER IS IN SEASON. A case in point is the Torta tal-Irkotta or Ricotta pie. This is an all year round staple which combines fresh ricotta, traditional goat or sheep milk cheeselets and eggs. The all is baked in home made pie pastry or alternatively in shop-bought puff pastry. However, in the spring-time when broad beans are in season, these are generously thrown in the mixture to lend a veggie green look to the pie. For a sweet version to be eaten at teatime or for dessert, ricotta pie can be enhanced with chocolate chunks, candied peel, sultanas, walnuts and pastry. One pie recipe which the Maltese inherited from the colonial times is the Torta tal-‘Bulu Bijf’ alias the Corned Beef pie. When fresh meat was scarce, tinned corned beef was the next best alternative. The ingredients continue to include potatoes, tomato paste, peas and hard-boiled eggs. On the fish front, the Maltese just adore their traditional Torta tal-Lampuki or Lampuki pie. Lampuki season is late summer and people will buy the freshly caught lampuki to freeze and then turn into pies during the winter. These fish pies are generally rich in chopped onions, olives, capers - typical Mediterranean fare. Try out one of these when you're on the islands for a feel of the typical Maltese kitchen.
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Image: Armed Forces of Malta band Š DOI
THE MALTA MILITARY TATTOO 2013 AS AUTUMN SLOWLY ROLLS IN, OCTOBER BECKONS WITH ANOTHER ANNUAL EVENT THAT IS DIRECTLY TO ITS UNIQUE HISTORIC MAP. THE MALTA MILITARY TATTOO CLOSES THE SUMMER SEASON WITH FANFARE, MARCHES AND MILITARY MUSIC, LINKING MUSIC TO MILITARY HISTORY IN A DEFINING MANNER. 2013 will see the 10th edition of this event and will continue to bring band music to the masses. As band music attracts 30,000+ members to local band clubs, and as regular band music programmes are played out around the island at each possible excuse, the Malta Military Tattoo provides a clear link to the island's military traditions. This year, yet again, a wide selection of foreign military bands will be participating in this two-day Tattoo. These included The Armed Forces Band of Greece, the Wessex Military Band from the United Kingdom, the Fanfara Bersaglieri from Italy, the South Yorkshire Police Band from the United Kingdom, The Libyan Army Band, the 1st Royal Highland Regiment the Black Watch from the United Kingdom, the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, The Grenadiers and Rifles Band from the Netherlands, The Air Force Band of Spain and the Armed Forces Band of Poland. Different bands will represent a selection of units within the Army Cadets Forces of the UK. The Malta Military Tattoo 2013 edition will be held at MFCC in Ta` Qali on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October. Activities kick off at 6pm. Purchase tickets online via www.ticketline.com.mt, or by calling on 2141 0371 or 2137 6312 or 7906 8676.
LIVING IN MALTA & GOZO
City Life Notte Bianca, the Valletta festival, is back with new artistic director Sean Buhagiar at its helm. Get ready for massive flying structures, magic in a medieval library... and random bickering Knights Massive flying structures, magic in a medieval library, a live jukebox choir on the stairs of St John’s co-Cathedral... for one night in October, Valletta will take on several of its possible incarnations, imagination and reality coming together in one festival.
If you are an expatriate living in Malta or Gozo...
you may regularly receive a link to the online version of this monthly magazine in your email. Simply e-mail us on: info@impactpr.com.mt
To be held on Saturday 5 October, this year’s Notte Bianca brings a fresh exuberant approach which celebrates randomness, possibility, the imagination. Attracting over 60,000 people to the capital each year, the largest cultural event in Valletta has re-invented itself into a rich kaleidoscopic fantasy. For the first time this year, too, Notte Bianca will have an official opening, complete with coloured smoke and In Guardia troops firing cannons from all over Valletta. This will kickstart the festival at 6pm. A closing breakfast at 2am at the Casino Maltese will bring the night to an end.
MAL MAL TA&GOZO TA&GOZ 22 l 23
Images: © Nicky Scicluna
In between, Valletta will be transformed into a city mapped out with a fairytale fantasy. Much of this new vision is down to its new artistic director Sean Buhagiar. Best-known for his theatre work and his most recent project Ċirku Malta, the Maltese circus show at the Malta Arts Festival, Sean wandered the streets of Valletta endlessly, listening to its echoes, whispers and stories. “My biggest challenge is to make these voices a reality,” he says. This year’s Notte Bianca will bring some of them to life, showing a different side to the city we all know. Notte Bianca is supported by The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. Transport arrangements and other info on nottebianca.org.mt
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