The story of a bearer
Ramona Depares speaks to Etienne Montfort, bearer within Valletta Holy Week processions
How did you become involved in Holy Week processions and how long have you been acting as bearer?
I'm 33 years old and have acted as bearer ever since I was 17. Mario Tonna, one of the prime movers in the Valletta Good Friday and Irxoxt processions, had introduced me. I have always been keen on doing work within St Paul's parish in Valletta and all my friends were Pawlini. The Easter procession in Valletta falls under the jurisdiction of our parish and taking part on Good Friday or Easter was a natural progression for me.
Do you need to be particularly strong to fulfil the duties of a bearer?
Being a bearer is not just a simple matter of going there and lifting up a statue. It requires commitment and training - in a way, it's like any other sport. If you're a football player but you fail to attend regular training, you can't expect to give a good performance during a game. The same applies when you're one of the bearers of a statue. You can't just turn up without doing your homework and hope to get away with it. The consequences can be serious because if you're not 100 per cent fit you risk injuring not only yourself but even the other bearers.
So what kind of training does it involve?
In the old days bearers usually trained by actually simulating a procession. They'd fashion big sandbags and those who were really keen would even put on holy music to create a bit of atmosphere. Nowadays obviously there's no need to do this and you'll find most of the bearers training at the nearest gym.
How easy is it to get hurt?
I myself have been lucky enough and have never sustained an injury while acting as bearer. Not that it isn't a sacrifice - my shoulders ache for at least two days after I take part in any procession and I also suffer from muscle cramps.
Is there a particular technique to follow?
Yes, of course. For instance, the fact that I am a leftie (and this is quite unusual), means that I hold the statue in a particular way. There aren't many left-handed bearers but it's often said that these are the best. Joking apart, it does make a big difference whether you're right- or left-handed and it affects the position. I'm a back bearer, a position I'm honoured to have been offered.
You might notice that bearers usually take up an inclined position. This is no coincidence. Basically it's necessary so that the weight of the statue doesn't fall directly on the shoulder bone but on the flesh. There are all sorts of tricks and techniques that need to be followed.
Easter Sunday processions, with the traditional Girja Ta' L-Irxoxt, will be held as follows:
Malta Cospicua, Gharghur, Mosta, Naxxar, Paola, Qormi, Rabat, St Paul, Senglea, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Zebbug and Zejtun.
Gozo Kercem, Nadur, Victoria, Xaghra and Zebbug.
I'm 33 years old and have acted as bearer ever since I was 17. Mario Tonna, one of the prime movers in the Valletta Good Friday and Irxoxt processions, had introduced me. I have always been keen on doing work within St Paul's parish in Valletta and all my friends were Pawlini. The Easter procession in Valletta falls under the jurisdiction of our parish and taking part on Good Friday or Easter was a natural progression for me.
Do you need to be particularly strong to fulfil the duties of a bearer?
Being a bearer is not just a simple matter of going there and lifting up a statue. It requires commitment and training - in a way, it's like any other sport. If you're a football player but you fail to attend regular training, you can't expect to give a good performance during a game. The same applies when you're one of the bearers of a statue. You can't just turn up without doing your homework and hope to get away with it. The consequences can be serious because if you're not 100 per cent fit you risk injuring not only yourself but even the other bearers.
So what kind of training does it involve?
In the old days bearers usually trained by actually simulating a procession. They'd fashion big sandbags and those who were really keen would even put on holy music to create a bit of atmosphere. Nowadays obviously there's no need to do this and you'll find most of the bearers training at the nearest gym.
How easy is it to get hurt?
I myself have been lucky enough and have never sustained an injury while acting as bearer. Not that it isn't a sacrifice - my shoulders ache for at least two days after I take part in any procession and I also suffer from muscle cramps.
Is there a particular technique to follow?
Yes, of course. For instance, the fact that I am a leftie (and this is quite unusual), means that I hold the statue in a particular way. There aren't many left-handed bearers but it's often said that these are the best. Joking apart, it does make a big difference whether you're right- or left-handed and it affects the position. I'm a back bearer, a position I'm honoured to have been offered.
You might notice that bearers usually take up an inclined position. This is no coincidence. Basically it's necessary so that the weight of the statue doesn't fall directly on the shoulder bone but on the flesh. There are all sorts of tricks and techniques that need to be followed.
Easter Sunday processions, with the traditional Girja Ta' L-Irxoxt, will be held as follows:
Malta Cospicua, Gharghur, Mosta, Naxxar, Paola, Qormi, Rabat, St Paul, Senglea, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Zebbug and Zejtun.
Gozo Kercem, Nadur, Victoria, Xaghra and Zebbug.