As the summer festa season nears the end, Bir id-Deheb (limits of Zejtun) and Valletta strike up the band one more time in honour of their patron saint.
Madonna tal-Hniena, Bir id-Deheb, Zejtun
Sandwiched between Zejtun and Ghaxaq, despite its promising name, there is no well of gold at Bir id-Deheb. Part of the main artery leading to the south of Malta, Triq tal-Barrani passes through this village. The small church dedicated to Madonna tal-Hniena (Our Lady of Mercy) was built on the site of a series of older chapels and forms part of the parish of Zejtun, which is one of the oldest on the Maltese Islands. The Zejtun area has been inhabited since prehistory and derives its name from the Siculo-Arabic word for "olive". The town is also the proud holder of the title of Citta Beland, a name bestowed upon it by Grand Master Ferdinand de Hompesch after his mother's maiden name. This weekend, it will celebrate the feast of its patron saint, Madonna tal-Hniena.
St Augustine, Valletta
One of the four parish churches in Valletta, St Augustine’s was first built in 1571 by Girolamo Cassar, the architect of the new capital city. It was later rebuilt in 1765, although some artefacts from the original church remain, including an important Mattia Preti painting of Nicholas of Tolentino. The festa week kicked off with the children’s feast on 10th September when a small statue of a young St Augustine is carried shoulder-high in procession through the streets of Valletta by the local youngsters.
On Thursday 13th September, the brass band march accompanying the Angel of the Parish will feature the unveiling of new street banners and pavilions. The Friday evening march is set to be an exciting one featuring a light show, dance spectacle by the Dancing Angels and of course the mechanised ground fireworks including the largest 'waterfall of fire'(?!) ever produced in Malta. A solemn church celebration is held on Saturday 15th September at 6pm, followed by another brass band march with the new statue known as Il-Beltija, culminating in a fireworks display. The procession with the titular statue of St Augustine starts on Sunday 16th September at 10am accompanied by the King’s Own Band.