WWI weekend of activities ongoing at Rinella

The event, being today and tomorrow between 10.00 and 17.30hrs will also feature the firing of the 100-ton gun.
For this event, Fort Rinella will take us back 100 years with a full-scale infantry trench complete with barbed wire entanglements in the grounds of the fort and a 20 men detachment kitted in British WWI kit. A full-scale WW1 battle scene will be re-enacted starting at 14:00.

This event is being complemented by a military headgear exhibition covering over 1,000 years of military gear evolution, the display of a genuine WWI Vickers 18-pdr field gun, interactive displays about WW1 trench warfare and informative talks about period weaponry and equipment.

The event was launched by Mario Farrugia, CEO at Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Michael Galea, Chief Officer, Operations at Bank of Valletta.

“Although lacking front-line action, Malta played an active role during World War I with over 30,000 people participating in the war effort, from a total population of under 200,000,” Farrugia said.

“We are delighted to partner with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and support the professional organization of re-enactments that showcase Malta’s rich cultural heritage and promote the appreciation of our history,” Galea said.

“Bank of Valletta’s long term partnership with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is of support to the Foundation’s efforts to restore historic sites around the Maltese islands and to create awareness of different eras of Maltese history,” Galea added.

Programme of the event:

Gas mask display: 10:00-17:00 (throughout the day in between displays)
Bayonet Exercises: 11:30
Sword Exercises: 12:30
Lunch break: 13:00-14:00
Foot Drill Display: 14:00
Cavalry Display (including tent-pegging competition): 14:30
Battle simulation: 15:30
Firing of the 100-ton gun: 17:00

The event will be open to the public from 10:00. Entrance fees: Adults/AOPs & students: €10, Children u/16yrs: €2 Free to all paid up FWA members.