The Valletta Pageant of the Seas – a biannual event commemorating the Santa Marija Convoy’s arrival in Malta on 15th August 1942 – will be returning to the Grand Harbour on 25th June.

This year, the event will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Convoy’s arrival with a varied show.

The programme of events will kick off at 8pm with Tellieqa Telliqun – a competition held within the Grand Harbour wherein a number of teams will be racing their homemade sea crafts without making use of traditional oars and engines.

Each of the participating vessels will be named after a British naval ship that was present during World War II.

Following the race’s conclusion, a concert of popular music will be held. Led by Maestro Paul Abela and under the direction of Ryan Paul Abela, the Palace String Orchestra’s talents and a some ilighting effects will take the audience back to the 1940s.

Afterwards, a special edition of the Regatta – a rowing competition – will take place, with the participation of six clubs from around the Grand Harbour.

The evening’s main event is a theatrical and audio-visual experience led by director Lee N Abela.

This performance will explore the circumstances endured by the Maltese during World War II through the use of projections, the participation of Moveo Dance Company, and the involvement of a diverse cast including prominent actors such as Theresa Gauci, Paul Portelli, Charlotte Grech, and Cassandra Spiteri.

The Valletta Pageant of the Seas will conclude with a fireworks installation at sea and a grand pyrotechnic display.

This project is being supported by Visit Malta, the Armed Forces of Malta and Tug Malta.

For more information about the Valletta Pageant of the Seas and other events, visit vca.gov.mt and the Valletta Cultural Agency Facebook page.

Department of Information (Malta) / Facebook