Malta entered the European
Union in a blaze of glory last night as the bloc embarked
on its biggest expansion in history.
Millions of television viewers around Europe and the
world tuned in to a magnificent light display at Grand
Harbour at the stroke of midnight while tens of thousands
jubilantly lined the harbour's edge to watch the show.
The 15-minute "light monument", created
by German light architect Gert Hof at Fort St Angelo,
will go down as the most spectacular manifestation
ever staged in Malta.
People started taking up vantage points in Valletta
and Floriana as early as 5 p.m., before hordes poured
into the city and around the waterfront to create one
of the biggest gatherings ever seen in Malta. Many
heeded the authorities' advice and used public transport.
As the surrounding areas were transformed into one
massive street party, private parties were held on
Valletta rooftops, from which many of the revellers,
taken in by the occasion, hoisted up EU flags.
As early as 8 a.m., one individual was seen selling
EU flags in Floriana with Grazzi Eddie stamped in the
centre of the 12-starred EU flag, hardly striking a
conciliatory tone after years of division over the
issue.
The evening kicked off on an operatic note with tenor
Joseph Calleja and soprano Miriam Gauci wowing a sell-out
audience at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
The Grand Harbour coastline was then transformed into
a haven for a different type of music as local bands
pumped out rock, pop and jazz in Valletta and a stage
in Senglea responded with traditional Maltese music.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly provided
by Mr Hof, who mesmerised the crowd with his light
synchronisation over Fort St Angelo, a display twinned
to a new opera penned by Roger Waters.
The loudest cheer came at midnight with the countdown
to membership, just before Mr Hof's shafts of light
towered above the harbour and a dazzling fireworks
extravaganza lit up the sky.
Earlier, Ross Ashton also performed wonders with light,
projecting images of the march of Malta's history,
and its new European identity, onto the fort.
Many were relieved to be spared the traditional political
speeches. In fact, with the exception of a 10-second
recorded message from Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,
there was no political input throughout the evening.
"This evening I am proud to be a Maltese in Malta,
and a Maltese in Europe," said Dr Gonzi, his voice
booming out across the water.
No incidents were reported throughout the evening
and everything ran smoothly except for a minor power
cut in Senglea at around 8 p.m., which must have caused
quite a scare for the organisers of the event, WelcomEurope.
The 10 leaders of the acceding countries, including
Dr Gonzi, will today join Irish Prime Minister Bertie
Ahern for a flag raising ceremony in Dublin.
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