Hondoq Bay to host opening night of Malta International Fireworks Festival

Hondoq Bay in Gozo is to host the opening night of the 21st edition of the Malta Fireworks Festival on Easter Sunday, the 17th of April.

Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg revealed the news, saying that “I’ve always said that Hondoq is a place not for just swimming in the warm season, but it is a place that can be enjoyed by individuals and families in all seasons and in different ways, at any time of day or night.”

He expressed his pleasure at therefore being contacted by the Malta Tourism Authority with the great idea of having fireworks for this festival being let off from barges facing the beautiful Hondoq Bay.

The theme for this spectacular display is – A night with the Legends – inspired by Legendary Music Artists that have passed away. Each participant will be asked to select the Musical Score for the Pyro Musical Display from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury and many more.

“Of course, we made sure that no harm will be done to the surrounding area, after which I gave my approval for the event,” the Mayor said

To avoid any inconvenience traffic management will be implemented. Further details on timings etc. will be provided closer to the date.

For this 21st edition, which runs from the 17th until the 30th of April at various locations across Malta, organised the the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority, it is being proposed that there are nine Pyro Musical Displays competing against each other whilst having seventy-two Local Licensed Fireworks Factories and Clubs to organise traditional fireworks displays.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival took a more unique International standing when apart from the Pyro Musical Displays, there was the inclusion of the Traditional Maltese Fireworks.

The organisers explained that the definition of the word Pyro Musical Display is the combination of a pyrotechnical display synchronised with music. Pyro Musical Displays use lower-cost fireworks materials, to create a fireworks entertainment show that is synchronised to a musical theme.

Traditional local fireworks, on the other hand, are more complex, faithful to local, authentic, hand-made, traditional production.

Local participants showcase their talent through their artisanal expertise that cannot be compared to the machine-produced fireworks that are generally imported, the organisers said.