A celebration of Malta's prehistoric heritage

Events once again see the participation of leading UK archaeologist and scholar Dr David Trump among others.

The curious and those eager to learn more will have a field day during the first event, that of a lecture and practical session on pottery identification by Dr David Trump that will focus on a number of pottery objects from different phases of prehistory. The event, the first of its kind during Festival Mediterranea that goes by the name The Archaeologist Speaks, takes place at the Heritage Malta Gozo Office at the Citadel on Monday 1 November and starts at 11.00am.

Festival Mediterranea is organising guided visits to the Hypogeum led by Dr David Trump. Four visits will be held in all, two on Tuesday 2 November and another two on Thursday 4 November, starting at 10.00am and 1.00pm on both days.  Attendance to these tours is very limited in number. In between the visits a book-signing session will be held by Dr Trump at the Hypogeum itself, in collaboration with Midsea Books.

Another first during Festival Mediterranea is that which takes place on Friday 5 November at the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra. Besides an on-site lecture by Dr Trump, which has managed to generate a constant interest in recent years, this year’s event includes live action that presents a different aspect to the magnificent prehistoric temple.

Another event is a half-day seminar, held on Saturday 6 November, entitled The Mystery of the Cart-ruts and the many questions they pose. This enigmatic subject, often controversial, sees the participation of Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Prof. Frank Ventura, Prof. Derek Mottershead, Joe Magro Conti and Daniel Cilia as well as Dr Trump as they come head-to-head while discussing the subject and addressing questions from those attending.

Events focusing on our unique prehistoric culture are being organised by Teatru Astra in collaboration with Heritage Malta. Booking is required for all events.

Festival Mediterranea opens with the opera La Traviata on Thursday 28 and Saturday 30 October and includes other events such as chamber and symphonic music, visits to places of interest, theatre and dance performances and a celebration of our cultural identity. For more information: www.mediterranea.com.mt. Booking on [email protected] or 21550985 or 99883007.

Festival Mediterranea is organised by Teatru Astra in collaboration with Bank of Valletta, Malta Tourism Authority, Vodafone Malta Foundation, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for Finance, the Economy and Investment. The festival would not be possible without the support of various other corporate sponsorships.