Things are gearing up nicely for Malta's entry into the EU (European Union) on Friday night, despite warnings that the weather is not looking particularly good for the area. The evening's highlight is the finale, which features the premiere of selections from Roger Water's forthcoming opera, Ca Ira, accompanying the light monument at Fort St Angelo, in the Grand Harbour, created by Gert Hof. In all, fifteen minutes of music have been selected and Roger is reported to be pleased to have his music used for the event. He had already approached Hof to stage the entire opera.

Hof arrived in Malta on Sunday, accompanied by his 56-strong team, 100 mega searchlights, and eight 40-foot trailers of equipment, and is on track for another impressive light show to add to his CV. His light monument, which he has been working on since October, is a combination of architecture, lights, lasers which will be bounced off the sea, high-altitude fireworks and music.

The Times Of Malta reports that the feeling he aims to create is one of "astonishment and amazement". He wants to mesmerise his audience, which could reach a billion TV viewers, and "take them aback with surprise... No one ever gets surprised these days," he claims. The light show happens in the sky, through beams that rise 70km high and the idea is to unite the audience and take them with him on a trip into space. At the same time, Mr Hof would like to create a sense of inner calm, peace and silence.

A number of countries are still signing up to the TV broadcast, other than the countries who are to join the EU on Friday night. German TV are covering the event on two channels:

ZDF - Willkommen Europa! 22.15hrs - 00.15hrs
ORF2 - Willkommen Europa pre-show 20.15hrs - 22.00hrs
followed by the main show 22.15hrs - 00.15hrs

If anyone in Germany, or Malta, can help us out by recording any Roger Waters segments or interviews broadcast, then please contact us. We will be reporting back on the events in Malta, but would appreciate it if anyone can help us with this aspect!