St Paul's feast to be celebrated with gun fire

G.Hoare ST PAULS BAY

Feb 7th 2009, 00:17

@ C Busutill you dont have to be aggresive with Simon Whitehead just because he has an English name and tell him to go elsewhere you are pure rude , believe me i have a english surname but im more MALTESE then you ever be . i understand that this is to celabrate St Paul, with gun fire from the historic cannon at the Saluting Battery in Valletta.

Frederick Williams

Feb 6th 2009, 22:51

I fully agree with what the fondazzjoni wirt artna are preparing for the 10th. These traditions should be supported by everyone, it is our history, it is our culture. And though I am not a pawlin, I am from Valletta and support any iniative to enhance our cultural activities in our beautiful capital city. In other countries we see bonfires,races,fairs,parades etc.. to mark the feast of the patron saint, so whats the big deal??
As regards to the petards, I agree that they should be limited and more focused on the colourful fireworks displays.
btw best wishes to our brothers the Pawlini beltin from a Dumnikan BELTI!

Franco Farrugia

Feb 6th 2009, 21:40

This shows exactly what we as a people are made of - just loud bangs and an outward show of noise, empty noise and nothing within.

We are living in an age where there is constant strife and warfare around us - the Middle East is just one example.

In this context, it is foolhardy to celebrate any feast of occasion by 'gunfire', realising what this NOISE (and nothing else!) represents.

Our saints deserve better than this. They will verily turn in their graves and shun us, the Maltese, when we celebrate in this manner.

It is what this 'gun fire' stands for that nauseates me.

What nauseates me is the fact that we still find people in this country who call this type of celebration 'a norm' to us Maltese - not only that, but a VALUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If these are indeed the values that the Maltese people have, .... then, I have nothing further to add! I mean, read what the Joseph Micallefs of this rock have to say, and if you don't feel nauseated by what he terms as the Maltese culture, then, in my opinion, nothing will!

Joseph Galea

Feb 6th 2009, 21:02

A one-time gun salute to honour St. Paul is appropriate in view of the saint's direct link to our nation and the fact that we are in the Pauline year. However, please let us not continue to encourage the senseless firing of petards (not 'fireworks') which cause so much distress to the elderly, infirm, young children and pets in the name of 'culture' and 'tradition.'

Joseph Micallef

Feb 6th 2009, 19:54

I am not a fan of any petards, gun fire, salutes etc etc ... but we live in Malta and Malta has a number of norms and values that together with many other things they have interwined in a way that today they created something alive that we call the Maltese Culture. If you don't like it, nothing is keeping you here - you're free to leave but if you want to stay here ... Let's also keep in mind that this 'Maltese Culture' is a product that throughout the years we have sold it and marketed it in a manner in order to attract tourists.

C. Busuttil

Feb 6th 2009, 17:49

@Simon Whithead If you don't like the traditions of this country you have the option to find a new home in one of the 26 other countries that are our partners. When a head of state visits this country he's given a gun salute what's wrong in marking the feast of the Spiritual father of the Maltese in the manner of our forefathers. If you are ashamed of our traditions I am not. VIVA SAN PAWL u biex tkun taf ukoll jien mhux mill-belt u l-anqas Pawlin imma Malti.

DUSTY WILLIAMS

Feb 6th 2009, 16:57

GUN FIRE? U IJJA MODA ISSA FL IRHULA TAGHNA!

Simon Whithead

Feb 6th 2009, 15:41

That's all we need, guns and cannons going off on top of the never ending bang bangs of each festa every summer.

Vincent Galea

Feb 6th 2009, 15:22

My heart is already jumping with joy.
Happiness is already in the air and all I need to do is to open myself to it. And allow it to enter my soul. Join me and hundreds of others.You don't have to do anything to experience it...................just don't shut it out. Magnus