Folklore and tradition in the Maltese feast

Conscious of the huge enthusiasm in Maltese villages and towns for anything having to do with the Maltese feast, Leon Promotions is preparing and coordinating a unique exhibition related to feasts to be held during Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal. The activity will be held in Merchants Street from 7 p.m. onwards.

Various bodies which organise feasts in villages and towns will exhibit works related to their respective feast. These include pedestals, statues, valance flaps, ornamental flags and the long poles on which they are hung, band march umbrellas, and other objects.

"Our aim," said a spokesman for Leon Promotions, "is to bring out into the open the traditions and skills related to the Maltese feast - such as making pillars look as if they are made of marble, gilding, and the traditional liedna. We will be encouraging those taking part to bring along volunteers during that Saturday night who would then give an example of their skills in public."

During this activity, the Ministry for Tourism and Culture will also be putting up folk and cultural activities along Merchants Street. Folk singers and musicians will be taking part, including the Astra Folk Group of Gozo and Tal-Qiegha band.

The Astra Folk Group, forming part of La Stella Philharmonic Society of Victoria, Gozo, is led by artistic director Anthony Zammit. The group's repertoire includes songs and folk dancing composed purposely for it. It has taken part widely in shows at the theatre and in hotels and clubs in Malta and Gozo, as well as during special occasions for tourists in Comino. It has also participated in various folk festivals in Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Libya, Egypt and Russia.

In Merchants Street there will also be Maltese food and some traditional Maltese trades. The activity is expected to run until 2 a.m. the following morning.