Bring the action! Traditional greasy pole il-gostra is back this weekend in St Julian’s
This weekend, the traditional gostra in St Julian’s is back for another year as part of feast celebrations! But before we get to that, you’re probably wondering... what the HECK is a gostra?!
The gostra is one of Malta’s traditional sports, where competitors attempt to run up a greasy pole to grab a flag before splashing into the sea below. This traditional contest is featured in various local feasts around the island, but the biggest and possibly best known is that in St Julian’s happening this weekend, as part of the locality’s festa celebrations.
Basically, a 16-metre pole is covered by 15 litres of lard and fixed at a diagonal angle from the bay to the sea. The crazy competitors attempting this tradition try to grab three flags at the end of the pole: a blue and white one dedicated to St Mary, a yellow and white one representing the Vatican and the Belgian tricolour dedicated to St Julian (it is believed that he was born in Ath, a Belgian town, in 7AD).
While only some go home with trophies and flags, many go home with a few bruises! But like in any sport, you can get hurt. So, if you’re a daring fellow who’ll be attempting this local tradition this weekend at the St Julian’s feast, just focus on the target and hope for the best!
And this, ladies and gents, is what it looks like to win the gostra competition: