Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1431464
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 NOVEMBER 2021 9 CHRISTMAS Valletta Cultural Agency plans jam-packed programme of festive activities in Valletta THE holiday season is upon us, and the Valletta Cultural Agen- cy has once again prepared a jam-packed programme of fes- tive activities in the heart of the city for all to enjoy. The atmosphere in Valletta will be nothing short of fes- tive, with a gorgeous display of decorative lights along Re- public Street, Merchants Street and Archbishop Street, lit-up Christmas trees in Freedom Square, colourful projections in St George's Square, and a large nativity scene next to St John's Co-Cathedral. On the 22nd of November from 6PM onwards, the fes- tive season kicks off in the City with the lively tunes of Big Friends Guggen Musik Band and Christmas carols by Centrestage choir in Republic Street and Merchants Street. After last year's success, the popular Blind Date with a Book returns in telephone booths in Republic Street, on vari- ous dates. A curated selection of books in Maltese will be wrapped and left in telephone booths between 6PM and 8PM on the 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 22nd and 24th of Decem- ber, with passersby being invit- ed to pick up one of the books and enjoy the surprise. Books will be replenished every half an hour. Through this fun in- itiative, the Valletta Cultural Agency is both giving a small gift to the public at Christmas time, but also promoting read- ing and Maltese literature for all ages. The Valletta Cultural Agency will be giving away over 500 books in total, with genres ranging from adventure and fantasy, poetry, art criticism, a novel and a political novel. The main streets of Valletta will also see stilt walkers and street animators will also be gifting smiles to those visiting Valletta for entertainment or to do their holiday shopping. Big Friends Guggen Musik Band and Tikka Banda will also be touring the streets of the City on various dates, add- ing on to the Christmas cheer. Check out the full programme on the Valletta Cultural Agen- cy website, www.vca.gov.mt, to see when you can meet them! For the music lovers, the Great Siege Square area, in front of the Law Courts, will become a stage hosting a num- ber of musicians and bands who will be entertaining au- diences with festive classics. Among these performers are Klinsmann, Swing Nuages, Fio- na Cauchi Duo and Gabriella Azzopardi Duo. For families and young chil- dren, the Valletta Cultural Agency has prepared a series of craft workshops on the 13th of December, a public holiday, as well as a number of Puppet Shows on the 21st and 23rd of December. Specific timings may be found on the Valletta Cultural Agency's website. For these events, booking is high- ly encouraged. Kindly send an email to info@vca.gov.mt to participate. The festivities will end with a bang on New Year's Eve, with a live show by British pop sensation John Newman in St George's Square! New- man will be joined by several local artists including Jasmine, Aidan, Ozzy Lino, Gaia and Klinsmann, together with hosts Abel, JD and Martina. This information was correct at the time of going to print. The Valletta Cultural Agency re- serves the right to amend dates and other event details at any time. To keep yourself updated, please follow the Valletta Cul- tural Agency page on Facebook or www.vca.gov.mt.