President laments pique

President George Abela said yesterday he would not like to attend village feasts marred by pique.

Dr Abela said feasts should start being carried out with a sense of civic duty, with their main aim being to create unity and enjoyment.

In the coming days, he would convene meetings with band club associations, fireworks enthusiasts, the police and the College of Parish Priests to discuss how village feasts could be improved.

The President made his comments during a reception on the occasion of the feast of St Publius in Floriana after he and Mrs Abela attended a Pontifical Mass.

Dr Abela also spoke about the immigration issue and appealed to the Maltese to be hospitable towards those in need, without looking at their skin colour. He recalled that when St Paul came to Malta, the Maltese welcomed him and hosted the 267 people who were with him, giving them all they needed.

"We need to reflect on the importance of strengthening those values that make us Maltese. We should not forget who we are," he said.

His words echoed those of Archbishop Paul Cremona who in a recent interview with the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano was quoted drawing similar parallels between illegal immigration and the shipwreck of St Paul.

Since his swearing in on April 4, Dr Abela, the first President to be nominated from the opposing party to that in government, has on a number of occasions highlighted the importance of national unity.