The 700 drones on display moved in concert creating shapes imitating traditional ground fireworks, a Maltese knight, the eight-pointed cross and even the map of Gozo among other moving figures.

"The entire display is pre-programmed in advance by our design team and then executed by a pilot in command plus flight crew," Chris Lutts, Vice President of Verge Aero, said.

The American company was responsible for Sunday's drone displays.

"All the feedback we heard was positive," he said.

It was the first time a drone display of this scale was held in Malta, Lutts said.

ytron Psaila, who was at the Valletta waterfront on Sunday, was also impressed by the drone display.

"They're beautiful because they are out of the ordinary, but I don't see it as a way of demonstrating skill like with fireworks," Psaila from Siġġiewi said.

Glory for Mellieħa's Marija Bambina fireworks club

Mellieħa's Għaqda tan-nar Marija Bambina won the festival's pyro-musical contest, beating stiff Polish and Serbian competition. Poland's Nakaja Art placed second in the competition.

"It was between us and the Poles," club secretary Trevor Vella said. "Poland's show was impressive and involved a large amount of preparation," he said.

Several other factories contributed high-quality fireworks to the Mellieħa club's 15-minute display that included over 3,200 shots, Vella, who designed the display, said.

Vella was impressed by the drone displays but says they will not replace fireworks.