The traditional Maltese village festa in pictures.
Flickr/Gloria Sanvincente
Every town and village in Malta and Gozo has a parish dedicated to a patron saint. Each parish celebrates the village feast and there are close to a hundred festa celebrations happening throughout the year, especially in summer. And as this year's long hot days of summer draw to an end, taking the fabulous festa celebrations with them, we thought it a good time to look back on some of the best festa photos of the summer, to tide us over till it's time to do it all again, next year!
In the past, the village feast was a huge event for which the villagers prepared for a whole year, making street decorations, practicing in the brass band, making fireworks and so on. The feast was an affair that brought the village community together with a common cause. And today, the festa is still a big event in most places, with the cultural aspect overtaking the religious aspect. Indeed, no summer trip to Malta is complete without experiencing at least one village festa!
The parish church’s exterior is lavishly decorated with lights.
And the interior of the church is no less indulgent.
The streets of the town or village are decorated with handmade banners.
Embellished statues are a big part of the festa, often taking to the streets during a procession.
Any religious procession is accompanied by the village brass band.
Here is the street scene you might expect in the heart of the village festa.
The revelry of the villagers is all out. Towns with more than one parish, such as Qormi, Ghaxaq or Birgu, feature amusing poetic taunts regarding which is the best festa of the town.
It all ends with the compulsory fireworks displays that accompany any Maltese celebration.
And while photos speak a thousand words, there is nothing like first hand experience. Have you attended any festas this year?