Workers down their tools on 1st May and celebrate their day of rest in a very typical Maltese manner: with a festa and fireworks!
The 1st of May is a special day in Malta’s already busy social calendar. Not only does the island join the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers’ Day “to promote solidarity amongst workers and a healthier working environment”, but we’re also celebrating the 14th anniversary of Malta’s accession to the European Union. Hurrah!
A political rally is scheduled to be held at Triton Square just outside the capital Valletta today. It is expected to be colourful, boisterous and very well attended (read: it’s going to be crowded and public transport to Valletta will be in heavy demand). A tour of the city can wait for another day, as there’s plenty more to see on the island.
If you wish to doff your cap to local workers, stop by the Workers’ Memorial in Msida, one of the masterpieces by celebrated local sculptor Anton Agius.
But there are more reasons to celebrate
And if a national holiday so close to the weekend were not enough to raise three cheers, the town of Birkirkara is also celebrating the feast of St Joseph the Worker. Birkirkara is one of Malta’s largest towns, and the church of St Joseph the Worker is its second parish, built in the late 1960s to cater for the growing population in the area.
The first Mass was celebrated in this church on 1st May 1967, and the feast of its patron saint is now held on this day. The wooden statue of St Joseph was made in Ortisei in the North of Italy by sculptor Vincenzo Moroder and designed by one of the best Maltese artists of the 20th century, Emvin Cremona. Join the procession with the newly restored titular statue, accompanied by a brass band, starting at 7pm.
Music to our ears
Round off May day with the soothing sounds of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and clarinettist Andreas Ottensammer in the closing concert of the Malta International Music Festival at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The programme includes the Malta Suite written by local composer Charles Camilleri and the ever popular excerpts from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev.
It’s a national holiday which means that all shops and businesses will be closed. However, in case of emergencies, these pharmacies will be open from 9am and 12pm. And don’t forget the airport pharmacy is open daily from 8am to 10pm.