Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533291
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 14 MARCH 2025 NEWS MORE than 85 local and inter- national fireworks teams will be participating in this year's Mal- ta International Fireworks Fes- tival, between 22 and 30 April, at the Grand Harbour and in Gozo. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg and the Mal- ta Tourism Authority Chief Ex- ecutive Officer Carlo Micallef announced the details of this highly anticipated event during a press conference. Organised by the Malta Tour- ism Authority (MTA), the an- nual festival is a spectacular celebration of the Maltese Is- lands' rich pyrotechnic herit- age, blending tradition, artistry, and entertainment. The first two nights, with sev- eral local and international fire- works teams competing in dif- ferent categories, will take place at the Grand Harbour on Tues- day, 22 and Friday, 25 April. The third evening, Saturday, 26 April, takes the Festival to Nadur, in Gozo, in collabora- tion with the Gozo Ministry. On the fourth night, on Wednesday, 30 April, the Fes- tival returns to the Grand Har- bour, as Malta celebrates the 21st anniversary of its EU mem- bership. This finale will include dis- plays by several fireworks teams, including Għaqda tan- Nar Kerċem, the winners of last year's festival, as well as a concluding surprise show, which will illuminate the his- toric harbour with a synergy of pyrotechnics and technological innovation. For the first time, this year the Fireworks Festival will also in- clude the participation of band clubs from several localities, supporting another important pillar of Maltese culture. Borg highlighted the festival's importance in celebrating Mal- ta's cultural heritage while reaf- firming the Maltese Islands as a travel destination of quality, authentic experiences. "The Malta International Fire- works Festival is a powerful symbol of our national identity, craftsmanship, and dedication to excellence," he said. "Events like these play a crucial role in diversifying our tourism product, encouraging cultural tourism and other niche mar- kets, with a calendar of vibrant events and experiences that position Malta as a year-round destination." Micallef said that the Malta International Fireworks Fes- tival not only offers a spec- tacular spectacle that attracts thousands of spectators, but also plays a significant role in promoting Malta on an interna- tional stage. "This event seamlessly blends Malta's rich traditions with in- novation, while also contrib- uting to our strategic objective of distributing visitor arrivals more evenly throughout the year," he said. Over 85 local and international fireworks teams for the Malta International Fireworks Festival 2025 Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg announcing the events for this year's Malta International Fireworks Festival