Easter in Malta is quite the feast and locals prepare for months in advance. But now that Easter week has finally arrived, here’s everything you can do to experience the feast like a true local.
1. The many processions
Throughout Easter week there are various religious processions to attend, from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, with various prayers and songs played during the processions.
2. Good Friday
It’s Good Friday and that only means one thing - sfineg! Grab these fried treats filled with anchovies and olives after your seven visits - another popular Good Friday tradition. A service is also held at 3pm on Good Friday, after which we indulge in a delish veggie pie. #GodBlessRuhi
3. Easter morning
Imagine this: it’s a lovely spring morning. The sun shines gently into your room, you open your eyes slowly and BAM! There it is - that huge ass Easter egg on your bedside table which will be gone in 3 days at most. #ThanksMa
4. Mass
Mass on Easter Sunday is an obligation, but if you’re not a morning person, you can opt to attend the Easter Vigil on Easter Saturday - a very beautiful service indeed but a little on the long side.
5. That crazy statue
There’s this weird tradition that happens every Easter Sunday. It starts off as a normal procession with the statue of the Risen Christ. But for the last stretch back to the church, those carrying the statue begin to run towards parvis. Let’s just say not every statue has made it in one piece to the finish line over the years! #GesuRxoxt
6. Figolli
Duh! By the time Easter Sunday rolls around we would have been eyeing those yummy figolli for 40 days. That’s long enough! We’ve got to make up for lost time. You can find us in the corner picking at the icing.
7. Easter lunch
Think Christmas lunch. The nibbles, the booze, the starters, the main attraction being the lamb, and finally an assortment of desserts. It wouldn’t be a Maltese Easter without loads of food, which we’ll be eating for the next few days!
8. Post-Easter lunch siesta
You think you’ll be fine and won’t make the same mistake as last year (when you ate more than you could take), but you know you cannot resist Easter food. You’re going to need a nice siesta after all your nanna's food and before you go for those drinks with friends!