This month is the final month before Malta officially becomes a full member of the European Union. To some degree, right now this is slightly overshadowed by the traditional celebrations for Holy Week and Easter.

As expected, aboutmalta.com will continue to bring you the online features we've created over the past years to help online users experience these traditions as they go virtual. These online presentations are most interesting for Internet users outside Malta, but many people in Malta visit them too, particularly to send free Easter e-cards.

On behalf of the aboutmalta.com web team I'd like to wish you and all those close to you a very happy Easter!

Toni Sant
Consulting Editor, aboutmalta.com

P.S. To subscribe to this newsletter just contact us.

1. Last Month's Daily News from MaltaMedia
2. Top Picks:
     a. Holy Week and Easter in Malta & Gozo
     b. Via Crucis - The Way of the Cross
3. This Month in Maltese History
4. What's On This Month

01 Official celebrations programme for Malta's accession to the EU launched
02 Foreign Affairs Ministers of Tunisia and Lithuania in Malta
03 Lawrence Gonzi officially elected as PN leader
04 MLP leader Alfred Sant meets new PN Leader Lawernce Gonzi
05 Tourism Minister says China could benefit from Malta's accession to the EU
06 Malta with lowest number of organ donors in the world
07 Polish President in Malta for two day visit
08 Only two candidates for PN deputy leader election
09 EU to reimburse Malta for September floods disaster
10 Palestinian President calls on Maltese President for help
11 Maltese and EU politicians condemn Spanish train bombings
12 Health Minister announces grace period on smoking ban
13 EU institutions raise terror alert levels
14 The MLP will not work to take Malta out of the EU, says Sant
15 Malta joins in commemoration of Madrid bombing victims
16 Joe Borg participates in first EU Commission meeting
17 Verheugen presented with the Xirka f'Gieh ir-Repubblika
18 Fischler warns acceding countries on farm subsidies
19 Malta ready to play its part in EU's fight on terror
20 Eros Ramazzotti to perform live in Mnarja Concert
21 Tonio Borg officially declared PN Deputy Leader
22 Eddie Fenech Adami makes last speech in Parliament
23 Dr. Lawrence Gonzi chooses Cabinet and takes the financial portfolio
24 "Malta's challenge in the EU: not to let anything slip"
25 PM in Brussels for European Council Meeting
26 MLP to vote against Fenech Adami becoming President
27 PM Gonzi optimist at end of EU summit
28 Names of candidates nominated by MLP for President revealed
29 EFA designated President after Parliamentary vote
30 Michael Asciak takes EFA's seat
31 Malta celebrates Freedom Day

Read and/or listen to the latest daily news from MaltaMedia.com.

a. Holy Week and Easter in Malta & Gozo

MaltaMedia's seasonal feature for Holy Week and Easter in Malta highlights traditional, religious, astronomical, and gastronomical aspects of the greatest celebration in the Christian calendar. Whether you're after an understanding of why the date for Easter Sunday changes each year, a virtual via crucis, free Easter e-cards, or the recipe for figolli, you'll find it all in this feature.
 

b. Via Crucis - The Way of the Cross

Known in Malta mostly as the Via Sagra, the Way of the Cross is a staple Christian ritual within the Catholic church. aboutmalta.com now brings you the first virtual Way of the Cross from Malta; to be more precise, from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Burmarrad. The text and photography are by Daniel Bartolo, and graphics and programming are by Janis Henderson. To view this online feature you need to have the Macromedia Flash Player installed on your computer.

25 YEARS AGO (1 April 1979)
H.M.S. London leaves Grand Harbour carrying Rear-Admiral O.N.A. Cecil, last Flag Officer for Malta, at the end of the military facilities agreement between Malta and Britian.

20 YEARS AGO (22 April 1984)
St. Theresa Church, Birkirkara, is packed with young people participating in "Halleluliah '84" organised by Paul Chetcuti S.J. with theme "Shalom" (For You Young People Thristing For Peace). Mass is concelebrated by Archbishop Mercieca and various priests who work among youths.

10 YEARS AGO (6 April 1994)
A Gozitan pharmacy student, Lorraine Vella, discovers a new type of bacteria called Salmonella Gozo.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
1 April 1929 - Charles Arrigo, Broadcaster/Actor
6 April 1951 - John Suda, Actor
26 April 1927 - Lilliana Bencini, Broadcaster
30 April 1960 - Josephine & May Incorvaja, Singers

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
5 April 1976 - Giuseppi Mallia "Il-Futru", Character Film Actor, dies
5 April 1979 - Herbert Ganado, Journalist/Politician, dies at 73
16 April 1990 - Pierre Muscat, Politician, dies at 38
23 April 1956 - Arthur Vassallo, BBC Announcer, dies after an explosion in London

See aboutmalta.com's daily full list of birthdays, deaths, and events in Maltese history.

Today in Maltese History is produced exclusively for aboutmalta.com by Mario Axiaq.

3-11 April 2004
Holy Week
All of Malta's towns and villages celebrate the Catholic Church's holiest feasts.

6 April 2004
Easter Concert
The Manoel Theatre in collaboration with the National Orchestra will be celebrating Easter with a special concert featuring a wonderful selection of pieces to be played by the National Orchestra and highlighting its soloists.

11-15 April 2004
Mellieha International Band Festival
The second annual Mellieha International Band Festival is a non competitive festival open for both brass and wind bands. All concerts are free of charge.

22 April 2004
Theatre Traffic - discussion
Theatre Traffic Lights discussion on “Malta, the E.U. and Effects on the Theatre” at the Manoel Theatre Courtyard in Valletta.

View aboutmalta.com's full calendar for this month's events in Malta and Gozo, or to submit a future event to our calendar.