Santa Marija is probably the foremost summer feast in Malta and Gozo. Celebrated in seven parishes on 15th August, and a further three on the following Sunday, Santa Marija marks the middle of the summer season and it has a significant place in the islands’ social landscape.

While all festi around Malta and Gozo reflect the character of their locality, nowhere does this ring truer than in Mqabba, a village in the south of Malta, where Santa Marija and its unbelievable fireworks display are truly something to behold.

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On the days leading up to the feast, Edward Bonello met up with Sandro Ghigo from the Saint Mary Fireworks Factory, where expert fireworks technicians and scores of volunteers were busy putting the final touches to preparations for the week-long celebrations, which come to an explosive (literally) climax on Friday evening.

“I am from Mqabba, and our town is pretty much synonymous with fireworks,” Sandro declares from the very start. “When I was growing up, you either got involved in the production of fireworks, or else helping out with festa decorations, or you learnt to play an instrument with the local banda. With me, given my family background, I chose the first,” he says, explaining how several family members of his were master fireworks technicians.

Nannu was one of the pioneers who together with others built the factory. Same as my uncle Mario Farrugia known in Mqabba as il-Bożin, who was one of the leaders for many years. He passed away last 10th September, so this will be the first feast of Santa Marija without him,” Sandro reflects.

These people leave a great void behind them, and some huge shoes to fill. So, it’s not easy to find the energy and courage to take over from them. We make it a point to mention them as much as we can, while we’re at the factory, during our daily routines, and remember their habits. That’s how we keep them alive with us,” Sandro adds.

In fact, this year the main fireworks display, shall feature a special set of fireworks in memory of il-Bożin, who will be overseeing his colleagues from afar.

Life at the factory is a year-round endeavour, with preparations for the next year starting as early as September of the previous!

“Right after the feast, which is celebrated on 15th August, we make sure to clean up the fields where we let off the fireworks from, put all things in order back at the factory, and then its straight to the drawing board to plan next year’s displays,” Sandro says.

In fact, the manufacture of fireworks, most of which is still done by hand is so labour intensive, that this is no surprise. One murtal (firework) can take weeks to create, depending on the complexity desired, of course.

“Modern technology does help, since nowadays we have certain machines that assist us at certain points of the process, such as the gluing phase. However, most of the work is still done by hand by expert masters who pour their hearts into the labour of love.”

Asked how important the feast of Santa Marija is for him, Sandro is lost for words. “Together with my family, it’s everything I live for! I can’t even imagine myself not being involved in the festa, especially the fireworks aspect of it. For us, that is what summer means. It’s not about going to the beach or on holiday. It’s about an intensive process of preparations, which peaks with our beloved festa in August!”

The Feast of Santa Marija is celebrated on 15th August in Mqabba, but also in Qrendi, Ħal Għaxaq, Gudja, Attard, Mosta, and Victoria, Gozo. In Mqabba, the celebrations reach their climax on the eve of the holiday with the spectacular ‘Tower of Light’ show, and on the day with equally amazing displays.

On behalf of the Laid Back Series, we wish everyone a wonderful Santa Marija feast!