The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts is launching a new series of Cultural Tours. These Cultural Tours form part of our annual Cultural Calendar of Events. They enhance the understanding of our local culture and serve to promote and divulge knowledge on Maltese historical heritage, traditions and skills. Indeed, past Cultural Tours have been well received and feedback for the current ones is positive.

The first tour will be held on Sunday 23rd November 2008. A total of eight cultural tours will be scheduled for the 2008 – 2009 season which will end on Sunday 10th May 2009.

The following is the programme for this series of Cultural Tours:

Sunday, 23rd November 2008 The Inquisitor’s Palace in Girgenti Verdala Palace in Buskett The Old Church and Providence Church in Siggiewi

Sunday, 14th December 2008 Birgu mini-tour with an Electronic guide The Norman House in Vittoriosa Crossing to Senglea on a Maltese traditional boat St Julian’s chapel and Fort St Michael in Senglea

Sunday, 18th January 2009 St Paul’s Catacombs and the Roman Domus in Rabat Mdina Dungeons A trip by train round Rabat, Mdina and Mtarfa

Sunday 8th February 2009 A Valletta tour which includes: Auberge d’Aragon Auberge de Baviere Our Lady of the Pillar Church The Oratory of Christ the Nazarene The Casino Maltese Domus Pauli assisting National pilgrimages from various churches in Valletta in commemoration of the Pauline year..

Sunday, 15th March 2009 Ghar Dalam Loretu Chapel in Gudja The Chinese garden in Santa Lucija Tarxien Temples.

Sunday, 5th April 2009 A full day tour of Gozo, exploring mainly the island’s Holy Week Cult.

Sunday, 26th April 2009 A Floriana tour which includes: Argotti, Mall and St Philip’s Gardens Police and Criminology Museum Garden of Rest.

Sunday, 10th May 2009 Boat tour round St Paul’s Islands.

Applications and more information about these Cultural Tours may be obtained from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street Valletta, by not later than Wednesday before the respective tours.

Applications for the whole series of tours are also available at reduced prices. For further information please phone 21232515 or 21245168. One can also visit www.maltaculture.com or e-mail noeldamato@maltaculture.com.