Modern life stands still at traditional Mnarja festival

A light breeze over Buskett made the day slightly more bearable for the hundreds of people who toured the agricultural exhibits and farm animals at the Mnarja agricultural festival yesterday.

The sight of vegetables, fruit, a selection of herbs, seeds, wool and home-made preserved vegetables was accompanied by the barking of dogs, amid the stench of animal dung.

Placed in cages next to each other in a long line, chickens, turkeys and rabbits created a discord of sounds as if to call the attention of people who walked past the stalls observing the wide selection of vegetables. Away from the tent where fruit and vegetables were on display, ponies, cows, goats and sheep moved around the crowd tended by their proud owners.

Children who were evidently not used to the sight of so many animals looked bewildered as their gaze fell first on a brown pony then onto a white rabbit. Their mothers walked behind them warning them to "watch their step".

Other children, quite obviously more used to animals, walked around with dogs. A boy wearing a traditional waistcoat and cap proudly held on to his two black rabbits he kept in a cage as four men, laughing and smelling of alcohol, posed for a photograph.

Hot dogs, chips and hamburgers were selling well alongside peppered gbejniet (cheeselets), preserved peaches, olives, tomatoes and potatoes.

By the time visitors and exhibitors gathered to watch the presentation of trophies to the winners of the various sections by President Eddie Fenech Adami at around midday, a general stench of sweat indicated that the afternoon heat had kicked in.

One by one, winners walked onto the stage to get their trophy and shake hands with the President and with Environment Minister George Pullicino. Clad in casual attire, Mr Pullicino thanked the Agrarian Society for holding the event and encouraged the audience to buy local produce.

Having caught a close enough look at the vegetables, fruit and animals, and after quenching their thirst with a glass of wine or a beer, most visitors had left Buskett by lunchtime. The most enthusiastic visitors, however, did not seem to be put off by the scorching heat, as they made plans for the afternoon to watch the traditional Mnarja races at Saqqajja.