14th edition of the International Fireworks festival launched

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis launched the fourteenth edition of the international fireworks festival at a press conference in Marsaxlokk earlier today.

“This festival brings thousands of locals and foreigners to enjoy the lively and colorful show in a traditionally Maltese environment every year,” Zammit Lewis said.

The minister said that the festival, organized by the tourism ministry and the Maltese Tourism Authority, has now become a fixture in the local events calendar.

“These activities encourage tourists to choose to visit Malta when they travel. More importantly, the event now has firm roots and its dates are decided ahead of time to ensure adequate planning and promotion of the event,” he said.

Zammit Lewis explained that the opening of the festival would once again take place in Marsaxlokk on Saturday 25th April and on Thursday 30th April at the Grand Harbour in Valletta.  He explained that the finale would take place on Saturday 2nd May in Bugibba.

“This festival considered unique and important in the country and it involves the participation of a great number of companies, including foreign ones,” Zammit Lewis said explaining that seven companies would be taking place in this edition.

“These companies will set up a spectacular show of fireworks synchronized with music, and the show will include an Asian fireworks factory, for the first time ever,” he said adding that a national competition would also be held as well as a fireworks exhibition which would show off the work of seven Maltese fireworks factories.

The minister also reminded those gathered that the festival was a part of celebrations commemorating Malta’s accession into the EU on the 1st of May 2004.

“This festival presents a unique opportunity for people to enjoy Maltese villages and cities in a truly remarkable environment. The country is well known for its cultural heritage and traditions and we should be truly proud of these traditions and show fireworks off as an integral part of that.”