Organisation, enthusiasm and camaraderie during Lija feast

This year the feast of Our Saviour in Lija was rather low key as one of the most popular men in the village, Twanny Farrugia succumbed to injuries received some nine months before in a fireworks accident. This, however, did not prevent the St Michael's fireworks enthusiasts from giving a splendid display of colourful fireworks on the eve of the feast. Thousands came from all over to admire the expertise in manufacturing fireworks.

The streets of Lija were also a sea of decorations and this year there was more of an organised atmosphere as the young men toiled in the heat to ensure that they got the flags and statutes up on time. What surprises me is the enthusiasm and camaraderie that exists among them.

Some people grumble, as I often do, that some streets are closed for the purpose of putting up decorations but at least here it is not for long periods and signs were put up this year indicating that no traffic was allowed through certain streets thus helping the flow of traffic. Not so in other villages - it took ages to get through Mosta one evening . In fact, I had to make a huge detour as happened on the morning of the feast at St Paul's Bay.

More programming and organisastion is needed all over as the traditional Maltese festa is a magnificent tradition which must be kept on our map not only as a tourist attraction, but also for us locals to enjoy in a proper manner. We must not forget the spiritual aspect of a feast but we must also back those who voluntarily give up their time to make the streets look fresh and colourful.