In praise of the village patron saint

The Maltese festa season is over. Church façades and domes no longer dominate the night sky with their multi-colour lights. Gone too are the spectacular fireworks displays with their noisy off-shoots. And the village hibernates until the church bells on Easter Sunday usher in another festive season, next year.

This brief pen portrait of a series of popular events in the Maltese calendar may appear to offer a hotchpotch of religious folklore and traditions with a strong exuberance of frolic and fun but the religious heritage seems to be fading away and very often an exhibition of unsanctified behaviour takes over in the streets.

Two important questions arise: How far do we go from here? Have our feasts degenerated into an annual show of strength between rival parochial groups?

It is an open secret that in most cases attendance for religious functions has dwindled considerably and festivities beyond the church parvis attract larger crowds. Again, who is at fault?

The festa is in itself an expression of centuries-old traditions, so much so that, to single out one traditional aspect, sung vespers set to music by renowned Maltese composers cannot be replaced by guitar playing and other "progressive" sounds during festa week which, while failing to attract the younger generation, discourage adherents to tradition who take pride in listening to sacred music synonymous with the Maltese festa. Maestri di Cappella of fame like Nani, Bugeja, Diacono and Camilleri were treated like heroes in the past, riding on a horse-drawn open cab (karozzella) all the way to the church and receiving the applause of their fans.

Outdoor festivities have recently expanded to such an extent that nearly all the streets and squares are artistically decorated and lit.

Undoubtedly, fireworks continue to attract huge crowds and the roads and nearby lanes leading to the village en fête cause traffic jams for those trying to obtain vantage points.

I have every praise for the partitarji (supporters) of these manifestations but disapprove of stretching their zeal too much - petards causing the main controversy. We have heard and read enough about the "big bangs" but band marches also deserve a mention on the negative side especially what goes with them in the midday sun of a Maltese summer. I have witnessed band club supporters, often under the influence of alcohol, who take the occasion to ventilate hostile remarks and foul language against partitarji of the other band club in the same locality.

Worse still (and devoid of any religious characteristics) one may be able to watch a carnival parade preceding the band, complete with triumphal cars and, for good measure, a kaleidoscope of colour painted on the face and hair of mostly young supporters. Surely a far cry from any religious inspiration!

Another episode in the evolution of the Maltese festa goes back to 1975 when Church and state became two separate entities, so much so that ecclesiastics ceased to have a direct say in the external festivities and civic organisations were encouraged to extend the festa cycle with or without the "blessing of the parish priest" and introduced other, mostly profane, activities. Disco parties, song festivals and the so-called Maltese evenings mushroomed overnight.

Band clubs and organisers of the second feast in the village (known as festa sekondarja) exploited this bonanza and moved with the times, extending a full week's programme in decorating every street and alley in the locality, much on the same level of the main feast of the parish (festa titulari). Thus, the much-preached unity among parishioners became conspicuous by its absence and, worse, parochial rivalry began to show its ugly head.

On the other side of the coin, a brighter image radiates. A silver lining around those dark clouds still shines on volunteers who contribute substantial sums of money to embellish or inaugurate so many works of art every year.

Without discussing the religious quintessence or the lack of it, the festa serves as a pleasant surprise for the tourist. However, this niche market deserves better advertising campaigns abroad. It certainly is free entertainment for our visitors who want to taste our traditions and meet the locals but, unfortunately, there is no taste for local food with the exception of the qubbajt (nougat) delicacy because hobz biz-zejt (bread with olive oil, tomatoes and olives) and pastizzi (cheesecakes) make way for hamburgers and the like.

The above factors which make the festa an annual colourful event in nearly every town and village in Malta and Gozo constitute an authentic portrait but with a blurred vision. I know I may cross swords with festa enthusiasts but one has to be cruel to be kind. Ever since I was a teenager, I have followed and published my views on the history and evolution of the Maltese festa and feel I cannot remain silent when things do not go as they should. It is not enough to suspend the external festivities when parochial rivalry manifests itself in the streets.

Lay and religious organisations, clubs and (why not?) local councils should form a common front, a federation of representatives from various sectors of the religious and external festivities. A few years back there was much talk of launching such a federation, a suggestion which came as a follow-up to a seminar on the Maltese festa held in one of the leading hotels in the north-western part of the island. A packed hall listened to representatives of festa committees, band clubs, parish priests and the police, among others, who spoke about their role in the festa season.

Questions from the floor were mainly aimed at forming a national structure to implement recommendations mentioned at the seminar and to advise on any innovative practices that may not fit in the framework of the traditional and religious origin of the Maltese festa.

This is the right time to consider and plan a second seminar on the same agenda. Only, this time with less words and more deeds, the public who cherishes this socio-cultural heritage awaits useful guidance to promote this joyful manifestation of our religious folklore and, if necessary, to do away with any malpractices corrupting the very soul of the Maltese festa!

Mr Coleiro is chairman of the Religious Tourism Organisation and author of Il-Festi Taghna published in 2003 (Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza).