Tuesday, 2nd September 2008

Naxxar band to scale back participation in feast

Claudia Calleja

Naxxar's Peace Band Club will be mellowing down its participation in the village feast celebrated this week as a sign of respect towards victims of the explosion that killed two locals a few months ago, the club said in a brief statement.

Last week some victims of the fireworks explosion expressed their disappointment at the fact that, despite the March 12 tragedy, feast celebrations of Our Lady of Victories would go on as usual and with the participation of both the Victory Band Club and the Peace Band Club.

The explosion killed 35-year-old mother-of-two Sina Sammut in her home and her neighbour 47-year-old Paul Camilleri. He was suspected to have been manufacturing fireworks inside his garage, in Triq Ħal Dgħejf, causing the explosion that demolished three houses and damaged others.

The Peace Band Club has been closed down ever since the police allegedly found fireworks stored in the basement, close to a petrol station, shortly after the explosion. The entire band committee were charged in court over the find.

Last week the vice-president of the Victory Band Club, Vince Debono, said that, once the external festivities committee had decided that the feast would be held, the club would try to "include signs of mourning" as the band will cut down on its performances. Yesterday the Peace Band Club declared that this year it will not hold the usual lively band marches during the feast but will "do everything possible" to ensure that the concert in front of the parish church on the eve of the feast would be held. It is also planning to participate in the procession on the feast day, club president Carm Grech and secretary Vittorio Gauci said.

This decision was taken "in view of the current situation and the circumstances experienced in Naxxar over the past few months".

Most timesofmalta.com readers who posted their reaction to this decision were not impressed.

One man wrote: "I have no sympathy whatsoever with the Naxxar Peace Band. As far as I am concerned, outdoor festivities should be cancelled as a mark of respect and the moneys collected for such activities should be used to alleviate the plight of the victims of the fireworks tragedy."

Agreeing with him, another reader wrote: "All external activities should be cancelled in sign of respect towards the victims of this tragedy."

A few readers sympathised with the band, with one person writing: "We appreciate that this has been a courageous and difficult decision to take especially for all those who worked hard all year long for their festa..." Another wrote: "Well done to the committee of Peace Band Club for understanding people's feelings in such a situation."

Someone else said: "Is it such a hard decision for the Naxxarin to make about the festivities this year? These are the same people who were shocked beyond words some months ago. Put yourselves in the victims' shoes and imagine your feelings when you hear the sound of fireworks going off.

"What would go through your mind remembering that the last explosion you heard was the one which destroyed your home or even took your loved one forever?"

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Lisa Martin (on 5/9/08)

I could not believe it when i started to see the decorations being hung up in Naxxar on my way to work. Before the families who tragically lost their loved ones came forward in shock at the fact that festivities would go on, i could not fadom how the decision was taken to go ahead with the festa this year. The village which was undergoing a massive wake up call just a couple of months ago has forgotten about the grief and the loss of innocent life because of pure lack of responsibility. But yes.... they will tone down festivities!!!! COME ON!!! Could not the church inflict its power and collect funds for the rebuilding of these people's homes...not to mention the rebuilding of their lives, rather then spending money on this feast which serves as a constant torment to the victims families! The Festa would have come again next year...it always does....they were simply asking for it to be suspended till next year when the wounds would be less fresh...is that too much to ask!! Shame Shame Shame

Lawrence Calleja (on 4/9/08)

It seems that the church and the Victory band club made up their minds to continue with the feast festivities despite the tragedy that occurred a few months ago. Let us hope that these festivities are organised without any pagan rituals such as offensive words or gestures and above all that common sense would prevail. Although I'm a resident of Naxxar and have always attended the Victory band club activities, this year I will not be attending these festivities yet I do wish all those participating a good feast.

Tonio Bor (on 3/9/08)

Do I detect subtle pique here..at the other Band Club in Naxxar?.... after all it was at the 'Peace' Club that fireworks were found.

Carl Pol (on 2/9/08)

Talking about fireworks... I went for a swim in balluta bay yetsrday. The sea was littered with rests of petards. Through my goggles I could see the seabed also littered with petards (and of course the normal maltese trash of beer cans plastic bags etc) Where are the wardens and other authorities that have been assaigned to a vigorous clamp down on public pollution? are they going to fine the festa commities of St Julians and sliema for littering what we have left of a dirty sea? Will they clean up after their orgie of sound and traditional ear breaking vandalism? MTA please note.

DVella (on 2/9/08)

If they want to do a decent thing and demonstrate some Christian charity in the spirit of the Saint that they purport to hold so dear, the Naxxar Band club and the Parish authorities as well as the local fireworks fanatics club should scale back all festivities and should donate all they money normally spent on the feast and associated activities to the families that lost their property and their loved ones!!!

Charles Said-vassallo (on 2/9/08)

Please take note: "One man wrote: "I have no sympathy whatsoever with the Naxxar Peace Band. As far as I am concerned, outdoor festivities should be cancelled as a mark of respect and the moneys collected for such activities should be used to alleviate the plight of the victims of the fireworks tragedy." The local officals and those connected to the Band in Naxxar have long forgotten those who were affected by the harm caused from those firework explosions. Respect is essential for the present moment.

Naxxar band to scale back participation in feast

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