Naxxar band to scale back participation in feast

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?"