The chosen theme for this year’s Malta International Fireworks Festival, where fire and culture meet, indicates that while the fireworks spectacle is an important annual event in the island’s events calendar, this year is extra special, as it amalgamates the show with local cultural aspects.

This year’s edition shall be the seventeenth edition of this festival. The opening shall take place on Saturday 21st April in Xewkija, Gozo, this will be followed by another spectacle on Friday 27th April in Marsaxlokk, with the Grand Finale taking place in the Grand Harbour on Monday 30th April. In contrast to previous years, this year will not only highlight fireworks, but will showcase cultural elements and traditions which one associates with a  traditional Maltese feast.

In fact, the opening night in Gozo shall be displaying various mouth-watering delicacies through traditional Maltese cuisine and drinks. The event in Marsaxlokk shall be based on a traditional Maltese feast, where the colourful decorations and local band dedicated to Madonna ta’ Pompei will take centre stage. The Grand Finale in the Grand Harbour will boast of fireworks which shall be synchronized to live singing and a live musical orchestra, which shall be performing from a floating stage in the harbor, all of which are new concepts for the Maltese Islands.

All these events go hand in hand with the fact that Valletta is the European Capital of Culture. After all, fireworks and the locals’ love towards them are well ingrained in the Maltese culture.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival is endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation.