Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/985406
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 MAY 2018 14 FEATURE FOR the first time ever, spectators will be able to relive the history of the north of Malta, 220 years after the French landed on the island – com- plete with authentic food, music, and entertainment from the period. During a festival organised by Regjun Tramuntana, viewers and participants will experience the largest ever re-en- actment with no less than 550 re-en- actors showcasing stories of 220 years ago in various northern localities in- cluding Mosta, Gharghur, Naxxar, Mellieha, and Rabat. The three-day festival will see re- enactors creating a number of scenes from the initial days of the French landing, whereby spectators will relive the way of life of the Maltese and the French in 1798. Activities include pa- rades and battles, among others. To make the experience all the more immersive and historically accurate, the festival will do away with any streetlights and will keep electricity consumption to a minimum. The only artificial lights will be wood fires made from iron fire pits – similar to what was used in the period. Some churches will also be ringing their bells in sounding the alarm. The opportunity to finally organise the festival came about when govern- ment funds through LESA were al- located for cultural activities, Regjun Tramuntana CEO George Abdilla told this newspaper. The Region took the opportunity to start working on the first edition of the festival. "The landing actually look place in Mellieha Bay. After taking Mellieha, the French army marched over to cap- ture Mdina, where the Maltese nobil- ity and Church were based," Abdilla said, explaining that the Region had to apply a degree of poetic licence in se- lecting the areas to use for the festival. "Mellieha Bay is nowadays too modern to be used, so instead we moved over to Mistra Bay, which is still pristine. Abdilla went on to say that what sets this festival apart from the rest is that it places great focus on being histori- cally accurate. "We have tried to keep to history as much as possible, and permit people to learn about Malta's history through re-enactment." Evidence of this historic event can still be found in the Northern locali- ties, Abdilla explained, as there are roads named after it. For instance, in Mellieha there is Triq I-Isbark tal- Francizi, while an area in Gharghur is known as the Dejma area – where the Maltese militia used to gather. In Rabat there is a road named after Emmanuele Vitale, who was the pa- triot responsible for organising the Maltese Militia, raising an army of 10,000 soldiers and fighting to oust the French. "We are working to bring these elements to the fore, and in so do- ing, educating our people," Abdilla said. The festival will kick off with a parade at 7pm on Tuesday 5 June, with a parade in Mosta, whereby the French will gather near the Wied l-Isperanza Chapel, while another group with gather at the Parish Square in Gharghur. In Naxxar at 8:30pm, attendees will have the op- portunity to experience 1798 town life at the Parish Square, including food, music, and dance displays. The 'battles' will commence the fol- lowing day, starting off with a 'big bat- tle' at Mistra Bay at 4:30pm. More 'bat- tles' are to be expected on Wednesday at Wied il-Qlejja and L-Imtarfa, alongside other activities in L-Imdina and Is-Saqajja. A number of lectures on the subject will also be opened up to the public as early as 28 May. Regjun Tramuntana will be working to gather photography and videography enthusiasts to team up in order to put together an exhibi- tion to immortalise this period in time. The event is organised together with the Historical Re-Enactment Group Malta (HRGM). Information is avail- able on the Regjun Tramuntana face- book page. Largest ever re- enactment festival set to take over the North apply a degree of poetic licence in se- lecting the areas to use for the festival. "Mellieha Bay is nowadays too modern to be used, so instead we moved over to Mistra Bay, which is still pristine. Abdilla went on to say that what sets this festival apart from the rest is that it places great focus on being histori- cally accurate. "We have tried to keep to history as much as possible, and permit people to learn about Malta's Evidence of this historic event can still be found in the Northern locali- ties, Abdilla explained, as there are roads named after it. For instance, in Mellieha there is Triq I-Isbark tal- Francizi, while an area in Gharghur is known as the Dejma area – where the Maltese militia used to gather. In Rabat there is a road named after Emmanuele Vitale, who was the pa- triot responsible for organising the Maltese Militia, raising an army of 10,000 soldiers and fighting to oust Parish Square in Gharghur. In Naxxar at 8:30pm, attendees will have the op- at Wied il-Qlejja and L-Imtarfa, alongside other activities in tion to immortalise this