The Military Mtarfa is about exposing Mtarfa’s rich military history. Mtarfa played an important part in military history during the British period. Being so close to the airstrip in Ta' Qali, Mtarfa was home to a military hospital, cemetery and soldiers’ quarters in the Second World War. This 7th edition will increase the awareness of Mtarfa’s rich cultural heritage and increase the community fe
eling as all local NGO, SME’s and many of the residents take an active part. Military Mtarfa, which will mainly take place at the St. Nicholas Mtarfa Secondary School (ex David Bruce Naval Hospital) shall consist of:
• Re-enactments:
o Air-raid stimulation attacks
o Victory kitchen
o Soldier's camp life
o Military field camp hospital
o Conscription Area
o Skirmishes and battles
o Convoys around the locality
• Drill and Weapon displays using blank firing
• Traditional Maltese & British food stands
• Traditional Maltese children’s games
• Exhibition of:
o Military vehicles,
o Uniforms
o Equipment and weaponry
o Malta railways
o Old photos of Mtarfa
o Military Die Cast Models
o Old military hospital ward
• Displays by the Armed forces of Malta and Air Soft
• Displays by the Malta Police and the Civil Protection Department
• Military band marches
• War time film theatre
• Guided train tours and access to historical buildings:
o Military Hospital,
o Clock Tower,
o Officer’s mess,
o Shelter,
o Mortuary room,
o St Lucia historical chapel
o The Water Tower
Such project is aimed to be brought up with the active participation of the various NGOs within the community such as Mtrafa Drama Group, Mtarfa Scouts Group and the Baden Powell Scouts Group. Furthermore, for the first time, this year, the Mtarfa Local Council has embarked on a remembrance project, named Let Us Not Forget (LUNF), with 3 other local councils from Malta, namely Isla, Birgu and Bormla, together with 3 entities from Italy and a municipality from Lithuania and another one from Latvia. Between April and July, there were a number of remembrance events held in Italy, Latvia and Lithuania with delegates from each country, including Malta, visiting the other countries in order to learn about the experiences of the residents with respect to WW2. This year’s Military Mtarfa event shall thus represent the commemoration of WW2 as lived by both the Maltese and the British Forces here in Malta, together with a number of other activities being held in Isla, Bormla and Birgu. The main issues tackled during this project were resistance, occupation, displacement and defence. More information about this project can be gained from the fb page https://www.facebook.com/groups/406324886240987/.
