Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/163731
29 THIS WEEK maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2013 Maritime festival in Senglea promises historical riches and fun THE Maritime Senglea Festival has been held in Senglea since 2009, with each edition becoming more elaborate and always attracting a bigger audience. The first festival won the EDEN Award (European Destination of Excellence and Aquatic Tourism). This year, the festival will be part of an EU-funded project under the Network of Twinned Partners 'Revival of Old Towns and Cities'. The four participatory countries in this project are LIsla (Malta), Daugavpils (Latvia), Zarasai (Lithuania) and Fara San Martino (Italy). The project starts in Senglea this coming September and comes to an end in September 2014, also in Senglea. The participating municipalities will start their visit to Malta with a presentation, followed by the launch of the website and other communication tools to be used during the project. Other themes to be tackled by the delegates during the first day will be the values, rights and opportunities created by the EU and the shrinking cities. The evening will see the inauguration of the Maritime Senglea International Festival and two exhibitions: Sicilian sculptor Cari Privitera at the La Vincitirice Band Club, the Senglea Historical Society at the Catholic Action and the Ghaqda Barklori Senglea at their premises at the Senglea Waterfront. Day two starts with an analysis of common events which struck the participating countries during World War ll – the bombardment, displacement, migration and rescue of artistic treasures and relics by the respective communities. There will be a panel discussion on the current situation of physical infrastructure in shrinking cities and how to renovate historic places. Three workshops will be held in the afternoon: the bombing and its consequences to architecture, the rescue and preservation of treasures and relics echoing the salvation of a community's identity and the displacement and uprooting of populations throughout the years. The day will come to an end with a choral concert on the Basilica's Parvis. The third day will start with an introductory address on successful renovation of old buildings. At the pjazza, sculptors Cari Privitera and Charles Bonnici will be conducting an interactive workshop with Pietra Bianca di Intaglio di Siracusa, Pietra Lavica and Basalto Lavico (Sicily) and Limestone (Malta). The foreign delegates will be participating in various visits to the historical icons of Senglea. Another workshop with the theme 'Reimagining the City' using current resources will be held at the Grupp Gwardjola premises. The evening will see another ArtsFair organised along the Senglea Waterfront between 6pm and 11pm. Artefacts, artists and craftspeople at work, music, singing, dance, food and fun will fill the evening in Senglea. The last day includes events at sea with fishing competitions, displays and the traditional IlGostra. Cultural Tours around Senglea and visits to a number of historic venues, during which a number of suggestions on how to enhance these buildings will be discussed. The Isla Regatta Club will be hosting an exhibition at its own premises at Il-Ponta. The event will come to an end in the evening with folk music and dance along the Senglea Waterfront.