This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Santa Marija Convoy – an heroic episode of WWII in which the Ohio tanker and its escort barely made it to Malta with vital supplies that saved Malta from starvation and surrender.

A commemoration of this event is being organised by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, at the Senglea waterfront on the 12th of August, starting at 7.30pm, when a Son et Lumiere performance will be held.

“This will be a once in a lifetime event,” FAA said. This narrative, written by Alfred Mallia, will feature never before seen diaries, letters and interview footage to be read out and given life by personalities, including Marquis Nicholas de Piro, and projected onto the bastions.

Reenactors will also breathe life into this ultimate moment in history, which Malta shares with the many other countries that contributed to the convoy.

The event will also see the participation of the Malt Police in a ceremonial capacity and members of the veteran’s association.

The violin prodigy Lorenzo Meraviglia, will be performing with his Stradivarius as part of the performance.

This will be followed by a reception in the Gardjola Garden of Senglea, where the Police Jazz Band will be performing, and where light refreshments will be offered.

FAA said that this is a unique event which brings together many of Malta’s best and brightest and should not to be missed.

Then on the 14th of August the programme continues with a Santa Marija Concert. As part of the unique commemoration of the Santa Marija Convoy FAA will be holding a joint concert at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

FAA said that a musical piece commemorating the Convoy by Maestro John Kennedy and Maestro John Galea will be performed for the first time. Virtuoso violinist, Lorenzo Meraviglia, will then perform pieces on his 1730 Stradivarius violin. .

This will be followed on the 16th of August with the Santa Marija Convoy Exhibition, opening at the Band Club of St. George, Cospicua,

FAA will present the art of Raymond Agius, known for his outstanding Santa Marija Convoy collection of paintings. This exhibition will be preceded by a war reenactment by the Battlefront Group in the square facing the Kazin San Gorg, Cospicua.

The Exhibition will be accompanied by a display on the Convoy curated by Jay Jones, showing photos, routes, newspaper articles of the day, and much more.

Ticket prices for Santa Marija Commemoration Son et Lumiere performance on the 12th of August will be as follows:

Tickets, Silver: €35 – Includes participation in after-show reception to be held at the Gardjola Gardens, Senglea, where the Police Jazz Band and pipers will be performing.

Gold: €50 Gold ticket-holders will be given seats in the front rows. Also includes reserved seats at the Santa Marija Convoy concert to be held at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral on the 14th of August.

FAA said that there is parking on site. They recommend to book early to avoid disappointment as seats are limited. Bookings can be made online here.

Photograph courtesy of FAA

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