Updated: Fireworks barge sinks

B. Borg

Sep 10th 2009, 21:24

I like the festas as they are, no less, no more. These have been in existance for donkeys years. If you don't like them, just shut up and go to Libya for the weekend. Issa qazziztuna.

Marius Cremona

Sep 10th 2009, 21:14

A Maltese feast is what it is due all the elements which form it namely - Church, processions masses, band and marches, fireworks and the general atmosphere. Remove one of these and this will not remain the village feast. For example one tries to hold a feast with band marches and fireworks without the church being involved. The feeling will be that of a farse. Even in the event of the fireworks festival in Valletta - they combined it with the feast of the Madonna of Liesse to make it 'Feel' as if another village feast.

I would suggest much stricter control on what happens when the fireworks as being produced and when they are being fired off. Other than that one cannot stop a long lasting tradition because the minority of people are moaning for that week.

C.Busuttil

Sep 9th 2009, 19:01

@Andrew Farrugia
Mela minhabba ftit bhalek dawk in-nies kollha(mhux mijiet imma eluf) li jkun qeghdin igawdu l-festa mghandhomx dritt ghal darba fis-sena biex triq tinghalaq. Prosiet x'egoismu dak qed nitkellmu fuq darba fis-sena ghal tlett sieghat kollox, u ftakkar kien hawn hafna bullies u heroes iwaqqaw ghac-cajt statwa ghax dik ta' l-injam jew tal-gibs, imma meta jitfacca l-inkwiet tarahom sejrin jigru l-Isla quddiem Ir-Redentur.
Il-festi minbarra li huma marbuta mall-poplu taghna huma wkoll attrazzjoni turistika, bit-turismu jiekol kulhadd anki dawk li ma jhobbux il-festi, qabel ma titkellem ahseb.
@Joan Agius
Fireworks are not considered as noise pollution by the EU, further the EU has given Malta special derogations about fireworks since its part of our culture and in the EU, culture is cherished. U kif qallek J. farrugia, titkellmu ghax ma tafux kemm hawn nies li jhobbu n-nar u hadt mhuwa ser inehhi dan id-delizju, darba prova Mintoff u hareg ta' hero. kieku taraw kemm ikun hemm nies waqt il-hruq tan-nar malajr tnehhu l-idea li kulhadd kontra n-nar.
@James Camilleri
Before describing or labelling people you don't even know as fanatics get to know them, you will change your opinion. Take my word.

Clive Gerada

Sep 9th 2009, 18:42

I'm not a great fan of feasts, but... how will people enjoy themselves if you remove the joyful feasts? how buisnesses in towns will trive? I am sure every buisness looks forward for events like this to earn some cash.

Andrew Cachia

Sep 9th 2009, 13:37

What about the EU health and safety regulations. are they being observed ?

Joan Agius

Sep 9th 2009, 12:55

Dear J Farrugia. I wouldnt be too sure about your comments about the future of murtali. The European Union has stipulated regulation related to noise levels and should the issue make its way to court, then we all know what could happen

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Sep 9th 2009, 11:20

at least no one was hurt which is a blessing..

Andrew Bonnici

Sep 9th 2009, 10:46

@A Xuereb

ma tantx tista tqis il-loghob tan-nar bhala hobby, imma iktar bhala hela ta hin u hela ta flus (hafna flus).....

"u min ma jtikomx fastidju, ttuhx!!" Ghadek kemm ghedt li hawn hafna nies qed igergru...dan mhux rizultat li qeghdin tghatu fastidju lin nies? ghaliex biex tmexxu vara, tridu tghalqu triq? u mhux trejqa ta, triq principali fejn jghaddu eluf ta nies kuljum...ghadek lanqas taf kemm tghatu fastidju lil dawk li jdumu jahdmu bil lejl (bhali) u li fit-tmienja jridu jkunu fl-ufficju jergaw...

sibu hobby bis-sens mela dal hela ta hin....kul sena l-istess xi dwejjaq!!!!

James Camilleri

Sep 9th 2009, 09:13

@ r. pace bonello
"What you really are against is not the petard itself but what its represents that is the Parish Festa.".

As long as we have people who come out with statements like this, there's little hope that this fair isle of ours will emerge from its 19th century mentality. Petards (bombi) - not the colourful fireworks - are the work of festa fanatics who couldn't care less about their village saint and just want to boost their ego with big bangs, the louder the better. In civilized countries they have laws against noise pollution but in this Mickey Mouse country of super-catholics we just don't care about the sick, old citizens, children and animals and people who just don't like noise. As many suggested, the solution is to BAN noisy petards altogether.

A. Borg

Sep 9th 2009, 08:56

Malta's UNIQUE attraction is the traditional feast whether you like it or not... most tourists like the festa... if you've been to Mellieha in the last week one of the largest squares in Malta was jam-packed with Maltese and tourists enjoying the feast with all its characteristics. Please do a favour to the nation and start being CONSTRUCTIVE in your comments... If you wish not to be bothered by festas, Ryanair has cheap flights (on which you will still probably moan because they do not give you a 'free' sausage' or a 'panina b'naqa butir' in-flight and guess what?? they will also save you money...) and go in a nearby destination for a week until your festa is over... However be warned that Festas are here to stay... if festas die... then the village will die... you will have nothing to moan about... now get seriously thinking about REAL problems in the country, in Europe and worldwide and start being CONSTRUCTIVE... nobody will consider your destructive comments.. they are so usual by today's standards!!!!!!!!!

A Zahra

Sep 9th 2009, 07:44

To say the least, i am really impressed by the knowledge of particular individuals blogging around on this site. I mean impressed by the lack thereof.
Pollution: I severely doubt what more pollution can a barge cause. Just in case you missed this type of barge neither has an engine nor a fuel tank. It is just s set of metal compartments (bulkheads) welded/riveted together and partly filled with sea water to obtain the right buoyancy.
Re Fireworks: All fireworks are dangerous to produce be they the so called petards or color ones. There are safe fireworks just as much as there are safe cars and tools. It's just a matter of who is handling them and how they are being handled.
Ehh by the way how many parts of the rokna hotel did fall off with the incident. Given the reasoning in your previous article by one and many since one petard was enough to bring down the cladding with such an accident one would expect that we are left with just the foundations; not to mention the complete annihilation of the cavallieri hotel which was standing just 200 metres or so away.

J. Galea

Sep 9th 2009, 04:10

@J. Buhagiar

Tista tghidilna jekk issir dak li qed tghid int, jigifieri li jinqata n-nar kollu u jispiccaw il-festi min se jidhol responsabli ghat-telf kummercjali li gib mieghu decizjoni bhal din? U int ghid li skuza banali li tal-hoss huma irhas u inqas perikoluzi biex jinhadmu. Urejt lil kulhadd kemm ma tifihmx u li ma tafx fuq xiex qed titkellem. Lanqas per l-icken idea. U int ghid li dan delizju ta ftit nies? Mela ma tohrog mid-dar siehbi? Zur naqra l-Festi u ara l-eluf jistennew l-ispettakli tan-nar B'XEJN li f'pajjizi ohra madwar id-dinja KOLLHA trid thallas biex tarhom. Dwar l-inkonvejent tat-traffiku lanqas biss inhoss li ghandi nirrispondik ghax urejt kemm int anti festi tradizzjonali u religjuzi li ghandna f'pajjizna.

Bernard Soler

Sep 9th 2009, 01:25

"Fireworks are NOT a health hazard" - can you post links regards scientific data and articles regards this state. Please

E. Azzopardi

Sep 9th 2009, 01:16

C. Busuttil:
Pathetic !. No wonder this country is in the sorry state it is!

nella bencini

Sep 9th 2009, 01:10

Petards bother me like it bothers everyone else, but a few weeks ago as i lay in Emergency Ward 2 in Mater Dei, the nurse came by at 9.30pm and said 'ok lights out, see you at 5 a.m', we all groaned......... In the next ward, a 23yr old young man was dying, his family taking vigil all night, when all of a sudden the petards took off, we were awake for hours, and i felt sorry for that family in the next ward, and for all of us patients, having to endure yet another night of endless noise. Terrible, and so disrespectful.

Joe Anastasi

Sep 8th 2009, 22:43

I really don't have any sympathy for anything connected with fireworks.

It's not the colourful displays that people complain about. It's the senseless, deafening bangs from morning till night for weeks on end that people complain about.

Please illuminate me someone; what is pleasant or traditional about eardrum shattering bangs? The only thing they remind me of is war. Can somebody come up with a sane, intelligent explanation? Please ?

It's 10.30 at night and the bangs are still going on at Naxxar. A couple of weeks ago we had Mosta, and the noisiest ones of all, Gharghur. What is so cultural, traditional, intelligent, enjoyable, satisfying, about senseless explosions that scare kids and animals, bother the elderly and the sick. In fact bother everybody.

If these people really want to be in the news I have a better idea. Put a match to a gas cylinder. Now that will make a real explosion and certainly get you on the news.

Alfred Agius

Sep 8th 2009, 22:38

Dak il-barkun ghandu jittella minn qiegh il-bahar mill aktar fis ghax min jaf kemm diga qed iniggess il-madwar. Mitt sena ilu jghidu li la kien hawn hsejjes ta traffiku u lanqas ta mitt haga ohra li nafu llum. B'hekk il-murtali tal-festi kienu joffru daqsxejn ta kambjament mil-hajja hiemda ta kulljum,
Izda llum il-gurnata tant hawn storbju bla kontroll ta traffiku u elf haga ohra illi l-poplu messu tghallem u ma joffrix flus ghall hsejjess bla bzonn (flus mahruqin litteralment) sabiex ikommplu jzidulu l-istress ta kuljum apparti li jahraq il-pulmuni bl-intwejjen ta putassa u kimici ohra.
Pajjizna mifni diga zzejjed b'kazi t' azma. Mela hu argument sod illi il-murtal kollha spicca zmienhom.
Wasal iz-zmien li id-dilettanti jibdew jarawhom u jisimghuhom fuq xi DVD ghal affari taghhom go hwejjighom sabiex postijiet pubblici jibqghu newtrali u mhux jiskomodaw lill min ihobb is-serenita!!
Jiffrankaw hafna periklu ghalihom infushom ukoll u taqtiegh ta qalb ghal familjari.
L-argument ta toroq maghluqa minhabba dawn l-attivitajiet hu validissmu ukoll rigward l-iskomdu u l-inkwinament zejjed mill vetturi.
Tgid ghad nitghallmu jew negozju biss ????

J Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 22:22

as if thunderstorms dont make children and old people fear the worst! So let's call on God almighty and tell HIM that HE is polluting our earth with all this noise. Imma kemm nifilhu nkunu ipokriti f'dan il-pajjiz biex minghalina tghaddi taghna jew insibu xi buzz word gdida bhal noise pollution. Halluna. Il-Murtali hadd u hadd mhu ser jaqtaghhom.

A Xuereb

Sep 8th 2009, 22:10

xi dwejjaq ta kummenti!!! ma nafx inthom in nies li kontra kollox u kif il media ssemmi xi haga fuq in nar qed tinvaduwha!!! nixtieq naf x hobby ghandkom intom eee!!! intefghu fuq gzira xi mkien ghamlu li tridu mhux tipretendu li d dinja ha d dawrua maghkom issa!!! bhalissa nvoga naqbdu man nar ghax alla jbierek, sar idejjaq hafna nies dan l ahhar. id damdim u l istorbju ta paceville hadd ma jsemmih u n nies li jkun hemm fis sakra!!! imma nsomma!! hela ta hin titkellem hawn u thammbaq ma dan nies!!! ghax hlief kummenti tad dwejjaq ma tarax!!! issa isbah!! ghax jiddejqu ghax tinghalaq it triq biex tghaddi l vara!!! u leeee!!! sibu hobby fil hajja hbieb!!! u min ma jtikomx fastidju, ttuhx!! u intom li dilettanti tal festi u dak kollu li jdur maghhom, toqghodux tahlu hinkom hawn tikkumentaw fuq affarijiet bla sens li jghid haddiehor!!!

Rachel Spiteri

Sep 8th 2009, 21:03

Festa minghajr giggifoku u nar ta lajru, mhiex festa..

Hallu lin nies fil liberta taghhom...

Jien nghid ghalija idejjaqni ig giggifoku imma jien min jien biex nghid li ghandhom jaqtawh meta hemm hafna nies li jhobbuh...

Ghalkemm huwa riskju kbir, in-nies ihobbuha il festa u jekk se noqodu naqtaw kollox, ha nispiccaw b'malta monotona...

Ron Johnston

Sep 8th 2009, 20:18

To Igalea, I think you are deceiving yourself regarding your previous comment that you are against big bangs. When I have written to the Malta Times regarding Petards ,you have replied in your comments that if I do not like them I should return to UK .
Could I suggest that instead of commenting so much to others valid viewpoints that you take the time to write letters to Malta Times with youur own views .thus giving others the opportunity to comment on yours?
Regards Ron J

B Sant

Sep 8th 2009, 20:10

@inguanez - theres no need to be an expert to comment on petards - we all live in a densley populated island and whatever you do with your noisy traditions is affecting our peacful living

DANIELA CACHIA

Sep 8th 2009, 19:29

We thank you all for letting us know how much hatred we have in our community!! are you really (trying) to show solidarity or are you just writing your comments since you have nothing better to do! are we here suppose to be all christians!! well I really doubt this when reading comments stated down below like :''let us hope we never see it again'', or comments like '' most people in Sliema are elderly, so show respect'', who said that we do not respect these people??!! whoever has a problem with these fireworks should then find elsewhere to live and NOT point their finger to whom dedicate so much time and work so hard! We are ONE BIG TEAM from San Girgor Committee and am sure that whoever is involved likewise understand our dedication , so guys do not even bother to whom is trying to harm us or blame us, let us learn and continue to prove success in whatever we do!!! V.S.G

Mario Spiteri

Sep 8th 2009, 19:13

J. Buhagiar

Skuzani imma ma naqbilx mieghek, Jien din is-sena mort il-festi li jinzammu f'tas-Sliema dik tas-Sacro Cuor u tas-Stella Maris u nista nghidlek li huma zewg festi kbar kompluti b'kollox daqs l-aqwa festi. Ma stennejtx li ha nara daqshekk nies jiehdu sehem u meta tara l-livell ta' dawn il-festi bilfors hemm partit kbir warajhom. Il-partecipazzjoni tan-nies nerga nghidlek kienet kbira u mhux il-ftit li provvajt tpingi inti.
u x'raguni hija din tal-parking minn fejn tghaddi l-istatwa ghal ftit hin darba fis-sena. Taf li mhux biss tghaddi statwa f'purcissjoni imma anke relikwa, jekk m'intix nisrani ghandu jkollok rispett lejn religjon ta' haddiehor u s-simboli taghha. Wahda mill-affarijiet li niehu gost nara fil-festi apparti l-armar, baned etc huma it-toroq bla karozzi anke ghal ftit sieghat jgiebu certu serhan li matul is-sena ma tara qatt. Ghalija personali dawk il-ftit sieghat minghajr karozzi huma veru Car Free Day bis-sahha ta' purcissjoni.
Haga ohra sa fejn naf jien il-festa li saret nhar il-Hadd ma tkunx max-xatt imma n-naha ta' l-exiles u ghalfejn anke jekk zghar m'ghandomx dritt dawn ukoll igawdu t-toroq minghajr karozzi?
Come on l-ewwel tghid li kulhadd ghandu spazju umbghat fejn jolqot lilek haddiehor m'ghandux dritt ghal dan l-ispazju.

r pace bonello

Sep 8th 2009, 19:05

@C Busuttil

My only response to your comments is that petards ARE a health hazard. I never wrote that fireworks are. However, on second thoughts, yes they are. Ask the relatives of all those killed in their manufacture.

S. Pulis

Sep 8th 2009, 18:56

C.Busuttil
Ma nafx ghalfejn dat-tbaqbiq kollu biex il-marc ma jsirx is-Sibt. Uhud mill-akbar festi ta' pajjizna ghandhom il-marc is-sibt u l-hadd huwa riservat ghall-aspett religjuz biss. U tahsibx li ghax qed tghid lil C. R.Taliana li m'ghandux/m'ghandhiex cans - JEKK IL-KURJA TGHID IS-SIBT, TISTA TKUN ARROGANTI KEMM TRID GHAX IS-SIBT ISIR. U jekk tghid spicca l-marc ta fil-ghodu jkollna noqoghdu ghal dik id-decizjoni wkoll. Il-festi huma organizzati mill-knisja - il-kazini huma l-mistiedna tal-knisja biex jigu ccelebrati l-festi!

C.R. Taliana

Sep 8th 2009, 18:39

@C.Busuttil
1. L-ewwelnett ikkalma naqra ghax tidher li qed titmashan ftit izzejjed.
2. Jiena tal-marc tas-sibt filghodu mhux qed nivvintaha ghax il-festa li niffesteggja jiena il-marc isir is-Sibt filghodu u mas-siegha ta' wara nofsinhar ikun spicca u ma nafx kif dan jista jinbidel f'disco.
3. Rigward it-traffic nahseb li ma tantx naqbel mieghek ghal fatt li anki meta tkun festa il-hadd bhal per ezempju l-festa ta' l-Imsida xorta jkun hemm problemi ghat-traffic ghax jinghalqu xi toroq ghal xi hinijiet. Imma peress li din il-festa ssir darba fis-sena, allura ma jkun gara xejn gravi.


Rigward il-barge nahseb li issa tkun ftit iktar iebsa li jittella mil-bahar. Nittama li jittiehdu l-prekawzjonijiet kollha u jittella minghajr ma jinqala iktar ghawg.

R. C Conti

Sep 8th 2009, 18:28

I feel that most of these comments are either out of context or the people who wrote them have nothing more interesting to do on a public holiday. Fireworks are an integral part of our feasts and tradition and must remain as such for the years to come. It does not make sense to ban fireworks just because they are "noisy" and "dangerous". Many other events are "noisy" and "dangerous". How many times have we read and heard about people being arrested for being found in possessions of drugs during parties?? These events are also "noisy" and "dangerous" in another way however there were was never such a call to ban these events!! Viva l-Festi Maltin u Ghawdxin Kollha.

C.Busuttil

Sep 8th 2009, 18:19

@r pace bonello

Its really cheeky to call others egoists and selfish, just because prejudiced people hide behind the sick and the old. What you really are against is not the petard itself but what its represents that is the Parish Festa. You can't stand that others cherish these traditions, celebrate and take part in them. However since thousands every weekend attend these firework displays you are just a minority that hates anything thats Maltese.
People contribute for fireworks because they want them, people go to these displays because they want them. If you don't like them, its your problem, maybe if you can't beat them join them.
Who on earth are you to judge these celebrations as paganism,Has the Lord Almighty given you some right to judge others, What is strange enough is that those who don't like external celebrations are never seen for the church functions.
Besides since when Bandclubs organize the indoor(internal) celebrations, halliena tridx.
Fireworks are NOT a health hazard, fireworks displays are held throughout the whole planet, abroad you can buy fireworks from specialized shops and through the internet, in the USA people hold their own displays for the 4th of July.

J. Buhagiar

Sep 8th 2009, 17:59

@ J Galea

Mela Jekk in-nar huwa daqshekk perikoluz triq wahda hemm, jinqata, mhux nigu bi skuza banali li l-murtali tal hoss isiru ghaliex huma inqas perikoluzi biex jinhadmu
Jien m hiniex dilettant tal-festi imma nemmen li go dan il-pajjiz irid ikun hawn spazju ghal-kulhadd-Imma ma jistax ikun minhabba delizzju ta ftit nies irid ibghati villag shih-iridu indahluha f'rasna li qieghdin nghixu fis-sena 2009 u mhux 1909.
l-inkonvenjent iehor li qed igibu il-festi huma l-hafna triqat principali maghluqa b'hafna sewwiqa iduru min naha ghal ohra u ma jafux fejn sejjrin.
Ma nistax nifhem perezempju kif il-Hadd li ghadha festa li qieghda isir max xatt tas-Sliema bit triq tax xatt maghluqa ghal hin twil tinghalaq ukoll Mrabat Street
F'granet ta'festi ohra gewwa Tas-Sliema (fejn tezisti kuljum problema ta'Parking)ma jhallux karozzi jipparkjaw fit-triq ghax trid taghddi l-istatwa-Dan ikonvenjent li qed igibu l-festi lill hafna residenti minhabba delizzju ta'ftit nies.
Min ihobb il-qaddis tieghu ghandu l-knisja fejn jitlob u m ghandux ghalfejn iddejaq il-haddiehor, ma ninsewx kemm kien hawn insara Kattolici gewwa tas-Sliema li ghamluha bi kbira ghax ftit Mussulmani marru jitolbu ix-Xatt u dawn kienu hemm minghajr marci u spluzjonijiet.

r pace bonello

Sep 8th 2009, 17:50

No matter public opinion these fanatics will always insist that petards are part and parcel of festas and they will never willingly, change their egoistic views. In the case of St Gregory's, if as stated, the bandclub organises both indoor and outdoor festivities, then the parish is just as responsible for the noise pollution as well as the dangers inherent with the letting of fireworks. The Church, not just St Gregory's, must get involved and do what it must to forbid anyone from causing discomfort to the elderly, the sick and to the general public. Noise pollution is a health hazard and must stop. I am not interested if the church does not mind associating itself with the paganism that goes on during these so called religious celebrations but to ignore the dangers to its faithful is, to say the very least, not charitable.

ROBERT VELLA

Sep 8th 2009, 17:45

As an active member in st. Julian's pyrotechnic club I sympathies with our neighbors for the events occurred in these days. Many do not even understand the hardship one has to pass for a whole year in order to be able to offer a firework display during the feast. Moreover if this display is let off from a barge.

Coming back to the sinking of the barge. Almost every year the barge takes in water and it is a normal procedure that who is responsible for the barge at the time being pumps out the water. For the 2 weeks that the barge was in st. Julian's the sea was very calm. But in the recent days the sea became a bit rough water started to get in the barge from the sides through previous patches that were being submerged in water as the barge went up and down with the waves.

Then if these people were not let to go on the barge not even to install a pump and pump out the water because of the inkjesta are they the one to blame????

J.Galea

Sep 8th 2009, 17:29

Ghal dawk li jghidu li jipreferu l-murtali tal-Kulur milli tal-hoss (Bomba, petards, bangs jew xi titlu iehor kif tirreferu ghalihom), u dawk li jghidu li l-hoss tal-bombi jdejaqhom nixtieq nistaqsihom: 1. Mela tal-Kulur mhux ukoll meta jifthu jaghmlu hoss? 2. Tafu kemm huwa aktar perikoluz meta jinhadem in-nar tal-kulur milli n-nar tal-hoss? Tafu li min ikun qed ihallat il-materjal tal-kulur ikun f'mitt darba aktar periklu min dak li jkun qed ihallat il-materjal tal-bomba? U tafu Sinjuri li l-materjal biex jinhadem in-nar tal-kulur jiswa kwazi t-triplu tal-metarjal li jinhadmu biha l-murtali tal-hoss u l-bomba? Fl-ahharnett solidarjeta mal-Kumitat ta' San Girgor, mas-Sur Bezzina u ma kull min kien involut. Jien mal-Festa tal-Karmnu, Balluta imma f'dawn l-affarjiet ahna solidali ma xulxin.

C.Busuttil

Sep 8th 2009, 17:13

@C. R.Taliana
1) L-ewwenett mhux f'kull parrocca jinzamm il-pontifikal allura mhemm xejn milli jzomm il-marc ta' filghodu jsir.
2) Jekk dan jinzamm is-sibt jista jtellef mill-attendenza waqt il-funzjoni tat-translazzjoni li hija wahda mill-funzjonijiet importanti tal-festi ta' gewwa, peress li din tinzamm fis-6.00pm
3) Il-marc ta' filghodu generalment jinzamm f'hin li l-pontifikal ikun spicca allura majtellef xejn
4) Naf hafna nies li jattendu ghall-pontifikal, wara jmorru l-marc u filghaxija jmorru l-purcissjoni u wara din imorru jzarmaw t-toroq.
4)Din kollha skuzi li tkun frisk ghall-purcissjoni, minn irid ikun frisk ghall-purcissjoni huma r-reffiegha u hadt aktar. U fejn hemm is-serjeta jigifiri l-parti l-kbira r-reffiegha fil-marc ma tantx jiehdu sehem.
5)Jekk il-marc ma jinzammx il-hadd tkun qed tiftah bieb biex minflokk jinzamm xi disco li mghandu x'jaqsam xejn mall-festa.
6)Int tahseb minn jahdem is-sena kollha bhal kazini u l-gruppi ta' l-armar ser jaccettaw dan sejjer hazin anzi m'ghandekx cans.
7) U kif trid taghmel l-marc is-sibt, mela l-bandisti ma jahdumx ukoll u dwar it-traffic xi nghidu.
Il-festi taghna huma sbieh ghax dejjem zammew hajja t-tradizzjonijiet jekk tipprova tibdel ha taghmel herba minnhom. Ma tajjeb m'ghandux jehel il-hazin, f'dawk il-postijiet li huma ftit issiru l-hmerijiet ghandhom jitwaqqfu huma u mhux il-kulhadd as simple as that.

Robert Inguanez

Sep 8th 2009, 17:08

It is impressive, how those who do not like the maltese festa and stay away from them, are all festa experts.

B Sant

Sep 8th 2009, 16:51

stop the niusance stop the petards - authorities wake up you cannot buy eveythiong for votes

Victor Testa

Sep 8th 2009, 16:39

To all who is 'really' interested in doing something for the better.

Since an 'Inkjesta magisterjali' was opened, the responsability was taken over by the Magistrate and the Police concerned. Moreover, the comitee and the club of San Girgor had Tug Malta booked for transportation, the next day of the feast. Subsequently, since there was an 'inkjesta' going on, neither the comitee nor the barge owner was given a permission to tow the barge before this sinking could take place. The owner of the barge was denied acess to his own propert because, allajbierek the expert of the court could only be present on tuesday morning. I ask the authorities and the court. Why could'nt the barge be towed away and then a complete inspection upon arrival at the harbour could take place. Moreover there where no injuries, or damages and thus why did an inkjesta take place?? We all know that 2 years ago no Inkjesta was opened, when a cointanier and a barge blew up in birgu and there was extaensive damage?? Dan ghax qedin tas Sliema?????? Imxu l-istess ma kulhadd, Awtoritajiet!!. Grazzi u proset ta kollox.

Joe Boswell

Sep 8th 2009, 16:35

"The people of these "highly educated and poshy areas"

It defies belief that in 2009, there are persons who still fuel the "Slimiz" snob stigma agenda. A good number of Sliema residents are pensioners - respect please. Even if this wasn't so, Sliema residents have every right to complain about the noise so called festas generate - Balluta, Sacro Cuor, Stella Maris, St Julians, St Gregory and to some extent, Gzira and San Gwann. It's not 1 weekend per year (as is the case with the airshow, which I am a great fan of, but which unfortunately, has diminished in spectacle).

I don't mind the pyrotechnic shows - it's art in its own very way, but lets be honest, the noise, many times, is irritating. As a blogger correctly described, they sound like anti-aircraft artillery! I have already asked this question before - has a noise level analysis been performed when "murtali tal berqa" (or whatever they're called) are let off? Do such beautiful colours require such a huge noise side-effect, and again, any idea of dB level ranges?

Christine Sammut

Sep 8th 2009, 15:57

Miss Anna Cachia if the men of Sunday's feast were amateurs they would have been on the barge and died. But no they came up with a new system so no one will be on the barge and no one's life will be in danger.
My main concern is that the committee of this feast strive all year round and work hard to have enough money to organise an excellent feast but unfortunate enough for them out of all the feasts in Sliema it is the least one which is praised. Its not enough that there are times when the weather conditions are not in favour but no people have to continue putting salt into the wound never thanking them for a spectacular show most probably a show they liked watching.
Also don't be happy that the barge sank. The emblem of this feast is the lion and yes these guys have hearts of lion for this feast and if they don't put up a show one way they will do it the other way. They will not give up. Keep up the good work.

Mavies Aguis (ex-Pat)

Sep 8th 2009, 15:37

You won't believe this but i was there watching at the time, and as it happens i am deaf(WAS) from one ear and partially from the other (WAS) i am alright now the big bang sort off cured my deafness and i can hear you guys load and clear.

Rodney Charles Vella

Sep 8th 2009, 15:33

Lil dawk kollha li qed isaqsu f'idejn min ha tkun ir-responsabbilita biex jittella' l-barkun.... Bhala membru fis-socjecta muzikali san girgor, nixtieq ninfurmakom li l-barkun ried jitnehha mis-sid il-bierah filghodu kif isir ta kull sena l-ghada tal-festa. Ghall-informazzjoni ta' dawk li jpecilqu minghajr ma jifhmu... imma jafu biss ihammgu lin-nies ta' madwarhom, dan ma thallhiex jitnehha mill-awtoritajiet minhabba li fethu inkjesta fuq li gara u ghalhekk kif infethet l-inkjesta r-resposnsabbilita tal-barkun giet f'idejn il-magistrat b'hekk ahna ma kellniex il-fakulta biex inlehhuh mill-bajja... Fuq nota ta' l-ahhar nixtieq nghid li qed ninduna kemm hafna min-nies huma ipokriti... basta jmorru l-knisja umbaghad jistiednu d-deni lil haddiehor.... dik socjeta kattolika.... nirringrazzjakom kollha tal-kritika li qed ittuna biex b'hekk ahna naghmlu festa isbah u aktar religjuza biex ta madwarna jifhmu li ahna ma naghmlux hammalati. Kieku naghmlu l-hamallati ahna u l-kappillan ma nimxux id f'id...din hi prova li b'kuntrarju ghal xi festi ohra ahna nimxu sew. Biex tkunu tafu wkoll, kif dahlet il-vara ta San girgor mill-partitarji zghazagh, il-kappillan gie u ghannaqna wiehed wiehed biex jirringrazzjana tax-xoghol li naghmlu! Dan juri bic car li ahna maqghudin bhala socjeta mal-Knisja, Nawgura lil shabi delettanti min rhula ohra l-festi t-tajba u nahdmu id f'id bhas soltu

J. Mifsud

Sep 8th 2009, 15:33

Kemm m' ghandkomx x taghmlu????? . Is salib ta kulhadd tridu tilhqu. Get a life mates.

C. R. Taliana

Sep 8th 2009, 15:17

@C. Busuttil. Jiena ma naqbilx li l-marc ta' filghodu jsir il-Hadd ghas-semplici raguni li l-Hadd huwa JUM il-festa. Dak inhar ikun hemm il-quddiesa bil-panigierku u l-pontifikal u kull min ihobb il-festa ghandu jippartecipa fil-festa interna. Fuq kollox il-parti esterna hija l-kontorn ta' dik interna. U haga ohra hi li meta n-nies tmur ghal purcissjoni u l-hrug tal-vara tkun iktar friska u l-festa tgawdiha ahjar.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 15:13

Is any authority going to check whether any pollution has resulted from this sinking or shall we just look the other way - as if nothing has really happened?

C.Busuttil

Sep 8th 2009, 14:58

@Stefan Sacco
Qed tara kemm ma tafx, l-uniku post fejn thallas biex terfa vara huwa l-Imgarr festa zghira u bla piki, din hija parti mit-tradizzjoni taghhom, jaghmlu sena shiha jigbru l-flus bies dakinhar tal-Festa jaghmlu irkant u bil-flus imorru ghall-ispejjes tal-festa, x'tahseb li l-flus imorru fil-but ta' x'hadd.
U dwar il-marc ta' filghodu, il-Hadd jaghmel sens, specjalment meta tqis bosta affarijiet fostom li gurnata fejn hafna minn-nies ma jahdumx, fostom il-bandisti ghax biex taghmel il-marc trid il-bandisti 2) jekk il-marc issir is-Sibt ha jkollok problema kbira tat-traffic ghax biex taghlaq certu zoni tkun ucigh ta' ras, mur ghalaq it-toroq principali tal-Hamrun, ta' hal-Qormi, L-Imsida, tas-Sliema specjalment meta jkun hemm bosta festi ma xulxin.
U xhemm hazin billi jsir il-Hadd? il-parti il-kbira minn imur il-marc imur il-purcissjoni wkoll sakemm ma jiehux sehem fiha ukoll.
U dwar ir-riha ta' xorb, b'daqshekk, l-importanti li ma jkunx hemm esagerazzjonijiet, Jien aktar nara ipokresija minn imur il-quddies ta' nofs il-lejl fil-Milied u wara jmur jisker. Dwar it-tghajjir fejn hemm serjeta ma jkunx hemmli huma l-parti kbira,sfortunatament hemm fejn iva ssiru IMMA l-ECCEZZJONI MHIX IR-REGOLA. Jien smajt tghajjir ikrah li f'ebda marc qatt ma smajt dan kien waqt il-loghob tal-waterpolo imma dak ma jimpurtax hux.

Jason Fenech

Sep 8th 2009, 14:47

I hope to live to see the day when the Maltese wayward egocentric mentality on such matters and the fallacy that all is licit in the name of tradition, hobby or what have you, follows the course this barge has taken.

If I only believed in divine justice, I'd say the gods have listened to the prayers of those whose voice is silenced by this deafening madness.

lgalea

Sep 8th 2009, 14:40

David Buttigieg
If you read my previous comments I said several times that I do not agree with the big bangs and that they should be controlled.

O Galea

Sep 8th 2009, 14:20

PLease no crusades against fireworks and festas. A singled out incident (out of the hundreds of festas and thousands of fireworks) should not compromise one of Malta's best crowd puller and tourist tradition. And pyrotechnics are unique events. A festa without petards is like a body without a soul.

Who ever was present at St Catherne's Zurrieq last Sunday can tell. Normally this is one of the best organised events in Summer festa season. This year's lack of fireworks was a huge miss out.

Colin Schembri

Sep 8th 2009, 14:18

XI DWEJJAQ TA NIES. KOMPETIZZJONI MIN JEQRED L-IKTAR!!!! Halluhom il-festi kif inhuma. Taf met jinqataw il-festi u n-nar ? Meta min ihobbhom bhali jircievi xi ittra d-dar b'wieghda li KOLLOX se jibqa l-istess. Ovvjament din tinkiser (bhall tal-kacca) u allura jinqataw. Lil Sacco nghidlu li aw zaghzagh li imnalla kienu l-festi li zammewhom il-boghod mill-vizzji koroh bhal droga u loghob. U jekk l-imgarr ihossu li ghandhom jaghmlu hekk int min int biex tindahal?

S. Pulis

Sep 8th 2009, 13:54

Stefan Sacco
Jiena nifhem l-argumenti tieghek. Jiena bniedem li nhobb hafna l-festa ta rahal twelidi. U meta nghid hafna jfisser hafna ghax ma nitlifx minuta minnha. Biss, u onestament ha nghidu dan, niehu wisq aktar pjacir fil-festa ta' gewwa. Jekk ma nattendix ghall-festa ta' gewwa, ghalija l-festa tista' ma tigix. Ma taghmilx sens li tifrah bil-festa ta' barra biss u thalli barra l-element religjuz. Pero mbaghad ma nahsibx li hija xi nuqqas meta lill-banda "ta' kontrina" nnigzuha naqra ghax ghandha d-dejn u lilna jzikuna ghax l-umbrella ma nfethitx sew! B'daqshekk m'hemmx hdura. F'hafna rhula jsir daqn it-tghajjir izda, u nista nikkonfermalek, li hafna partitarji opposti jixorbu u jieklu flimkien fiz-zewg kazini ta' xulxin. Qed nirreferi ghal Haz-Zabbar. Gieli kellna nkwiet sfortunatament. Imma minn 18-il elf ruh, ftit ikunu li jaqilghu l-inkwiet. U dawk le, la jkunu jhobbu l-kazin, la l-festa, la l-Madonna tal-Grazzja u wisq anqas lil binha li ahna msejha nqimu.

Emelia Caruana
La Gonzi jixba mill-poter, jiehu l-parir tieghek ta!

charles bugeja

Sep 8th 2009, 13:45

It is a real pity for St Gregory's firewirks acident. Thank God fo no injuries. But still, injuries could have been with the fireworks they let off from the quay. Wind was blowing onto the gardens and pavements. My dauther with her baby in the pushchair got berserk. Burning debri was falling all around. Mind you, I AM A FIREWORKS ENTHUSIAST. I try not to miss any when they are let off. I keep my distacne okay. And i want then to stay on. BUT THESE " LOVERS" of these heavy ,loudy,noisy bangs...petards, especially the LAMPJUNI are making me to hate all this.
Lets try to be reasonable..... and this I ask especially of Mqabba,Lija,Ghaxaq,Mosta, Gharghur, Qrendi and others. Make petards with the minimum noise. Give us those lovely nar tal-kular which we maltese are REKNOWNED for.
I admired St mary Mqabba ONLY, sorry , mostly of that " stilla ddur meta taqleb il-kulur" this year.
We at Balzan NOW is impossible 4 us to this kind of fireworks. S T I L L - we had a lovely feast with other kind of fireworks.
THALLUHOMX JAQTGHULNA KOLLOX.

anna cachia

Sep 8th 2009, 13:39

This explosion just goes to show what amateurs these children...excuse me, I mean men, are. I don't care that they put there lives at stake with their hideous bombs...my only worry is that they put others lives and property at risk. All in the name of pagan bacchanalias which they call religious feasts!

Michele Borg

Sep 8th 2009, 13:33

Sometimes when I read these comments I say to my-self "oh how educated,smart ( PROFESSURI ) we the Maltese people are " ,we want to complain just about everything,(that`s what happens when one hasn`t got a life), before we had hunting (even if most of them were doing it from their private property),then Trapping ( same as the hunters ) ,fishing even if it done in the sea,now the fire-works even thou they happen once a year in every village ,mind you I don`t like fire-works and never give money to them,but I can understsnd that it`s only once a year so let it be,when our village festa comes what I do is I put a good CD in my sound-system and let it blow and so fire-works don`t bother me cause I don`t hear them like that.There are so many much more important things that one can protest and comment on like the migrants,high fuel prices,high water/electric prices,corruption,drugs,national debt and a hundred other things.

E. Azzopardi

Sep 8th 2009, 13:26

It was a matter of "when" not "if" the barge was going to explode.
So now the sea in that area is quite polluted (everybody can see this) with big brown slicks all over the place. So, the polluter pays. Who is going to pay for all this now? I am sure this is going to cost a bomb. Perhaps all those who have been defending all this nonsense can fork out the money needed, if the insurance has a limit.. Now, your fireworks colleagues, those who give you all the pleasure, may need your help. Will you be forthcoming or you will still keep "at a safety distance?" Thank God no one was injured but I have no sympathy for that poor barge. It will now rest it peace, thank God.
I would have thought that the Civil Protection would come to clean the area, yesterday Monday.. THis is is a very popular swimming area for many locals and tourists. I urge the Local Council to urge the authorities to clean the area immediately.
And lest we forget" All this is done in God's name.

albert aquilina

Sep 8th 2009, 13:12

well said mr.rodney charles vella.

Peter Green

Sep 8th 2009, 13:12

Yesterday while in Gozo, the Xaghra festa have a very loud World War 2 Siren which they switch on before and after their fireworks petards. All sounds like war! I have to say Gozitans are very creative in creating noise pollution!

How could the police tolerate such instances?

Stefan Sacco

Sep 8th 2009, 12:55

@Clive Borg

Its none of my buisness and you have every right not to go to church...I mentioned that I go when you criticized me about going in front of a statue.
I never mentioned anything about petards and of course I admire all those who risk their life and are capable of producing such attractions.
My point is that we can all enjoy these on Friday evening...Saturday evening and Sunday evening with the Purcissjoni. Marci ta filghodu qed isiru wisq hmerijiet to be associated with Holy feast...we can leave them for Jum ir Rahal
And paying to carry a statue.....maybe yes...if money go towards Puttinu cares or dar tal providenza

David Buttigieg

Sep 8th 2009, 12:40

@I.Galea,

Well done, finally agreeing that fireworks should be seen and not heard!

Please note that in Scotland they do not use petards which is what people here are against but "enthusiasts" don't seem to understand!

Still, I'm glad nobody got hurt in Sliema, but I'm so glad that at least those petards went to a watery grave giving us a quiet evening!

J. Borg

Sep 8th 2009, 12:34

spot on, walter camilleri !

Gordon Grech

Sep 8th 2009, 12:30

I am very upset that when an accident related to fireworks takes place, some people begin to argue to stop fireworks and even more friends comeing from abroad, and dislike fireworks!!! these are few people since people want to see fireworks something which we maltese people must be proud to produce different types of fireworks. Perhaps in winter, a fireworks festival i being organized to attract foreigners!!!!!! Fireworks = part of our traditions!!!!!!

N CARABOTT

Sep 8th 2009, 12:14

naqbel mijak 110% C.Busuttil. jiena wiehed min dawk li nahdem ghal festa minnom gewwa tas sliema. Minix mal festa ta San Girgor imma hadt gost li ma wegga hadd minnom. GHAX DENI LIL HADD IEHOR MA IRRIDX. il festa telbek min hafna vizzji u izommok attiv is sena kolla......u ukoll MINN MA JOGBUHX IL MARCI TA FILGHODU MA JIGIX U MHUX IPARLA FIL VOJT... u ma jfisirx li ghax f'certu irhula jkun emm marci tal misthija andu jehel kulhadd mahhom...MAL HAZIN MA GHANDUX GHALFEJN JEHEL IT TAJJEB....

Emelia Caruana

Sep 8th 2009, 12:07

JULIAN GATT yes so right I left MALTA for same reasons its so mad all these PETARDS and how many festa's can one have Its not so SPIRITUAL its just nuts TIME for a change MALTA try meditation instead and stop the dangerous madness so maybe people can enjoy living and visiting MALTA without having to hold there ears and being awoken by bang bang and walking in the streets with more BOOM BOOM BOOM time for PRIME MINISTER GONZI to ban them now.

Betty Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 12:06

Thankgod for that maybe its the last time that we are going t hear the annoying noise. This is when the insurances come in handy. We have friends visiting from the UK, they couldn't park anywhere and as they don't like any fireworks being old people, we had to take them to another town where it was more peaceful and not so crowded, so i take it they weren't amused.

John G.Micallef

Sep 8th 2009, 12:04

I have predicted what happened a few years ago and I forwaded my comments to the press. Nobody took any action. Neither the Civil nor the Ecclesiastical Authorities took any action. Thank God there was no major explosion and no loss of life. Should there have been an explosion, I am sure that all glass windows and doors in the area, including the Cavalieri Hotel would have been shattered. The barge has now sunk to the bottom of Balluta Bay which is now certainly a hazard to all boats coming in the bay including tourist boats etc. The question now arises. Who is going to make good the expenses involved to raise the barge and make the bay safe again as it was? Who is going to foot the bill for what happened to the barge itself? Was everything insured? Who signed the request for the permit tor the firing of the petards from the barge? Was it at safe distance or not from the shore? Somebody has to answer these questions. The Church Authorities? If not, who?Can anybody produce a financial statement of the loss involved etc?

Kevin Camilleri

Sep 8th 2009, 11:54

a sinked barge would add 0.05% pollution to an area which is 100% polluted by cars and construction. The people of these "highly educated and poshy areas" don't want fireworks because of the noise, pollution and danger these fireworks generate. Why don't you stand up against the huge number of cars which pollute your area? Why don't you stand up against those tower cranes erected in every corner which topple over? Unfortunately, I work in Sliema, the worst city in Malta you can live and work in. Lack of parking, lack of breathable air, noise pollution, closed spaces etc etc. But since it's fireworks, manufactured by the "injoranti u mhux ta livell bhalna", than we condemn them. However we love to see the webs of colour opening in the sky... mhux hekk?

Don't complain about an accident that happened! Nobody was injured because ALL THE PRECAUTIONS were taken! Protest against the massive problems you have in your areas - which you are not lacking of mind you!

I'm annoyed hearing all this and reading of people who hate fireworks who they want them stopped. Thousands of Maltese & tourists love them! Thank you guys for the displays you give us.

Andrew Cachia

Sep 8th 2009, 11:49

" IN THE NAME OF TRADITION" let us all revoke women's right to vote etc etc etc

Stefan Sacco

Sep 8th 2009, 11:43

I did not point at any particular feast fuq il marci ta filghodu......imma jista xi hadd isemili wiehed li ma jsirx taghjjir u ma jkunx hemm riha ta xorb taqsam.....apparti xemx tizreg!! U li thallas eluf ta Euro biex terfa vara ??? Jiena favur li il festi jigu Friday Saturday u nhallu Sunday ghal purcissjoni

walter camilleri

Sep 8th 2009, 11:43

@ all those extremists - either way!

The fireworks are beautiful, the festa is a nice tradition that it would be a shame to lose, and the murtali could be fun as well, if the bombi extremists could learn a bit of moderation and respect for other people. But this last is a vain hope.

I once asked a festa addict what attracted him to the murtali and his answer was that it thrilled him that when he set off the bangs the whole of Malta HAD TO LISTEN! Inferiority complexes and small minds, enough said.

If only they could be persuaded to cut the sound level by half, no one would mind, and the money saved could either go towards more colourful rockets or, even better and more in keeping with the festa spirit, given to charity.

K LeBlanc

Sep 8th 2009, 11:30

Looks like a nasty navigation hazard now. Needs to be put on the bottom if deep enough or raised and hauled off.

clive borg

Sep 8th 2009, 11:21

@ Stefan Sacco

you need to learn but you need to live what you learn outside.... and you dont need to go to church to pray cos God is everywhere around us...

as you learn from going to church , i learn while seing petards in the sky , how crative a person can be by using all his talents... (ok, ma inhiex ix fanatiku tal-festi but why i have to ban what for me isn't fullfilling and for them is a meaning in their life, everyone has his love in something he do)

now lets not put everyone on the same shoes, it doesnt mean that li jigri fil-marc huwa wrongoing, i'll ban il-marci overall, its the attitude of a person is wrong but it doesn't mean that all are wrong.... in life for the same thing there is the pros and cons, like a knife can kill, it can be useful - so you say you'll ban all the knifes!

meta tintaqa folla dak dejjem jigri ,so people need to control themselves waqt il-marc.

Michael Neville Cassar

Sep 8th 2009, 11:20

It’s a pity that we cannot blow all of us to the moon then we can have some peace and quite. Fireworks have taken lives more than once, but it is quite clear that we have no back bone to stop and prevent such incidents. Summer has become a yearly nightmare and it belongs to all, not the so called festa, Malta is too noisy with cars music and most of all petards.

chris knight

Sep 8th 2009, 11:14

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2357703&id=737893636

Ylenia Vella

Sep 8th 2009, 11:04

I am doubting if people are really trying to express an opinion or pass a judgment.... have you forgotten that the AFM has drown a boat to attract more tourists... what's the difference... i am informed that the barge had no acid and hence what kind of pollution could it do? Secondly I am also informed that relevant authorities did not give the permission for the barge to be removed as an investigation was taking place... hence Mr Coenen, i think it's better if you attract the authorities involved... I am informed that the owner of the barge has always removed the barge on Monday morning but this year due to the unfortunate accident, they were banned from removing it. Kindly be informed before you speak out... you can do a lot of damage to those involved. I am sure that those involved will do whatever is possible to solve the matter as soon as possible.

C.Busuttil

Sep 8th 2009, 11:02

@Stefan Sacco
Kemm prejudizi sewwa qalek Clive Borg ghalxiex ma jinqatax il-Milied ukoll kif qeghdin fiz-zfifna, ghax dak veru paganizmu u ipokresija.
U mhux qieghed inhallat xejn, ghalfejn ma semmejtx l-aspetti pozitivi tal-festi bhal l-aspett socjali fejn hbieb u familji li jkunu ilhom xhur ma jiltaqaw u permezz tal-Festa jaghmlu dan. Minn kliemek turi li ma t'apprezzax il-fatt li hemm numru kbir ta' zghazagh li jahdmu is-sena kollha senza interessi b'risq il-festa f'ambjent nadif il-boqghod mill-vizji. Ghalfejn ma semmejt xejn dwar it-talenti li johorgu permezz tal-muzika fil-baned u l-arti fl-armar. Semmejt il-marc ta' filghodu u tidher li ma taf xejn hlief li ghandek pregudizju dwar dan (veru hemm xi lokalitajiet bhal Hamrun li dan il-marc huwa tal-misthija) Biss il-parti l-kbira ma jsir xejn minn dak li ktibt int. Minn kliemek jidher billi tmur il-quddies u ma tmurx quddiem l-istatwa ma jiswa xejn ghax qieghed taghmel dak li ma jridx Gesu, li ma tiggudikax lil haddiehor. U billi tmur quddiem statwa m'hemm xejn hazin l-importanti b'liema attitudini tmur, infakkrek ukoll li kien hawn hafna bullijiet li jghidu li dawn hmerijiet(statwi) u meta tfacca l-inkwiet tarahom jigru lejn l-isla quddiem l-istatwa tar-Redentur, hemm ma tibqax statwa!!!!!

lgalea

Sep 8th 2009, 11:01

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8240975.stm
Firework display closes festival
More than 200,000 people have gathered in Edinburgh to see the city's annual arts festival come to an end with a spectacular fireworks display.More than 100,000 fireworks exploded over the city in a 45-minute display, to the sound of live orchestral music.......

Rodney Charles Vella

Sep 8th 2009, 10:57

PART 2- @ Stefan Sacco
I doubt how much you know about religious values because you are spitting accusations on other Maltese people who are doing what they enjoy... do i criticise people who play poker, do i criticise people who spend all their money on alcohol or kill animals, or take drugs.... the answer is NO... and do you know why? because i beleive that their are authorities who take care of these things.... but i see myself as a religious person because i do not label those around me.... and if you know the Bible well, i suggest that you read it again.... because Jesus had nothing against people celebrating.... just throw the first stone and I am sure that you will not be able to do it.... just don't label and judge others because one day they will judge YOU

Rodney Charles Vella

Sep 8th 2009, 10:57

PART 1- @ Stefan Sacco
Excuse me mr Sacco but who do you think you are? I am a Slimiz, Gregorian and a Maltese... who are you to say that I am one of those who celebrate during the feast, I swear, I drink and am drunk, and i do "hamallati" as you mentioned'... don't you know that this is false labelling!? don't you know that St Gregory's feast is known because of the fact that the Kazin's committe takes care of both the feast INSIDE the church (and hence religious) and also of the feast outside the church (the hamallati as you described it)... as far as I know, we are the only feast whereby the religious bodies partipate actively in the hamallati..... they are proud of us youths of the organisation, because we cdo not swear, we do not do hamallati but most of all we are of a good example to the children who learn that they have to work hard, respect others and do whatever is possible to come up with a good result!!!! you said that you go to church to pray and learn....

Stefan Sacco

Sep 8th 2009, 10:16

@ Clive Borg

And how did you presume that I go to church to pray in front of a statue??? I go to church to pray and to learn more and more on what can we take from God's lessons every Sunday. And believe me there is never enough of messages in Sunday's mass to learn.Imbad thallatx il hass mal kabocci...il hamalati tal marci ta filghodu ma easter egg li tinghata lit tfal!!! Sakra... riha ta xorb... Tghajjir...basta f'isem dak il qaddis !!

S. Pulis

Sep 8th 2009, 10:06

Julian_Gatt
Kieku l-Unjoni Ewropea kellha tahli hinha fuq il-loghob tan-nar, ikollna nammettu li l-UE kienet tkun falliment ghal Malta. Ahjar l-UE nitolbuha tghinna fi kwistjonijiet ta' natura aktar serja fosthom l-immigrazzjoni illegali (l-ebda sentimet xenofobiku!) Imbaghad b'hekk forsi "serves" the Maltese people "right for voting for EU!!"

Edwin_Mifsud
Tantx tifrah bid-deni ta' garek ghax jigi f'darek!

Ma nafx ghalfejn dal-hafna paroli fuq in-nar fil-limiti ta' Tas-Sliema u San Giljan. Nahseb gimgha shiha bla waqfien jaharquh in-nar. Sa fejn naf jien biex tahraq il-kwantita jrid ikollok kamra tan-nar li zgur m'ghandhomx.
Personalment hawn hafna affarijiet iddejquni imma naccetta l-fatt li diversi nies ghandhom delizzji differenti. Mhux tedjanti ghal min idejquh, 3ijiem shah bl-ajruplani jvenvnu tul l-Airshow. Imma min ihobbhom ma jghidx hekk! U ghandna nirrispettawh u jekk idejquna niehdu ftit pacenzja.

F'dal-pajjiz ghandna bzonn naqtghu dat-tqanzih l-ghandna u niftakru li ahna qeghdin f'pajjiz overpopulated u kull ma rridu naghmlu hu nirrispettaw u niehdu pacenzja b'xulxin. Ghax kull haga li jkun hawn fuq timesofmalta.com dejjem irridu nopponuha, jekk mhux wiehed l-iehor. Nibqghu sejrin hekk Malta ngibuha cimiterju.... u anke bla fjuri ghax zgur ikun hawn min jaghtas bihom! Pajjiz tal-fonqli u minix nippunta subghajja ghax jien Malti wkoll!

clive borg

Sep 8th 2009, 10:04

@ Stefan Sacco

kemm ghadek mentalita xotta ghax ma taqbadx u taqta il-milied u ir-rigali, l-ghid u l-bajd ta l-ghid!
cos i dont see any difference from fests and christmas they all have their commercial aspects... but should we ban everything... yes i bet we should also ban the statues of saints from being sold cos they are paganism!

So if you are part of the church as i am, why do you go to church praying infront of a statue!

joseph zammit

Sep 8th 2009, 09:56

Let us be a little more honest here. I do not think that the church is responsible for these mind shattering petards--there is the festa ta gewwa (church) and the Festa ta barra (clubs-kazini). Although the church knows that these paganistic practices are responsible for these petards, nonetheless, it serves the church good as it brings people to the Festa--and people means money. To do away with the festa ta barra will certainly kill off the festa itself. Unfortunately (for me) that is how it works. Noise pollution in malta is very high, but, on the other hand, empty vessels make most sound.

Criss Camilleri

Sep 8th 2009, 09:56

It is very good indeed that no one was killed or injured, but the Gregorians can really boast that they had a real, ' FESTA BOMBA'

James Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:56

'has it ever passed through your mind that it’s a work of art appreciated throughout the world??'...

Some people's minds must be as thick as clotted cream, because those of us who are complaining are complaining about the noise, and not the beautiful colours. Those senseless petards, or 'murtali tal-berqa' as they're called, are like anti-aircraft flak in that they create a puff of smoke and a deafening sound. Their only purpose is to irritate, disturb and damage one's ears. Whilst 'colour fireworks' are beautiful and do not leave loud sound shockwaves that disturb everyone except the addicted, the noisy petards have no aesthetically pleasing values, and only serve to irritate and annoy most people, including tourists.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:45

Words of wisdom by J Farrugia: 'instead of asking whether there was any environmental damage or pollution as they call it. Who cares. Get your priorities right Mr Coenen.' So, who cares about the environment, asks this J Farrugia. It appears that this man is probably coming from far-off times when people lived in caves and even thought that the world wasn't round, yet. It is people like J Farrugia who keep this country from progressing.

Simon Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:43

And here we go again. The same good old people targeting fireworks enthusiasts. At times I presume that these live in some kind of monastery away from all noise that life entails. If we take St Julian's I think that it's not only petards that make the noise. Traffic, construction, music sounds and much more but festa petards are the only target nowadays. These are the people that criticize these petards and sometimes say that they love watching colour fireworks displays. But they don't know that in manufacture the most dangerous is colour. Too much of a contradiction. This is a hidden agenda from a section of the Maltese people that are targeting festas and using the Church as bait. The external festivities are more of a tradition and draw great crowds all over the summer. Come autumn and we have Notte Bianca, Birgufest, Casal Fornaio and much more with the majority of the ingredients that make a village festa. But here all is ok. If there is loud music in Valletta and Vittoriosa till dawn let if be. Come on and let sleeping dogs lie.

Stefan Sacco

Sep 8th 2009, 09:37

May i go further and ask why does the Church sanction the Mgarr money to win the right to carry the statue...JAHASRA !!! Tradition...issss hey xi tradition!!! And what about il marci brijuzi ta filghodu???? When will the Church have the courage to stop this paganism....?? I am part of the church and I feel responsible as much as everyone .. that is why I'm sending this

Stephanie Xuereb

Sep 8th 2009, 09:34

has it ever passed through your mind that it`s a work of art aprreciated throughout the world?? i live in balluta btw and san girgor give the most eye pleasing show ever! They are a very dedicated family who work all year round to please all the foreigners who come over especially to see this magnificent show!

Edwin Mifsud

Sep 8th 2009, 09:34

GOOD!!! Now maybe the earth can open up and gobble up the rest of the fireworks factories.

J Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:27

it would be appreciated if Mr Coenen whoever he is, took interest whether there were any casualties or not, instead of asking whether there was any environmental damage or pollution as they call it. Who cares. Get your priorities right Mr Coenen.

Anthony A. Mifsud

Sep 8th 2009, 09:27

Natural act of God, make use of it as an arificial reaf, make use of it,! Why not.
There no Pollution as this is all wooden hull,I recommand that it will be loaded with blocks so she can rest at Bulluta bay.

Tony

Julian Gatt

Sep 8th 2009, 09:21

This news brought a smile to my face, I just left Malta and one of the reasons was the noise pollution and those insane petards that nobody liked except the mindless people who thought it was fun and some kind of religious ritual that most despised. To read it sank just made my day, although no doubt they will replace the barge with one bigger. Maybe they will wait for more people to be killed by 'fireworks' before something is done to curtail or control them. I cannot understand why the people of Malta accept them when so many despise them. Why does the Church sanction them as well?? Sheer lunacy, not to mention paganistic if you are into that kind of thing. I am sure the EU will one day step in and bring these persons into line....serves them right for voting for EU!!

Andrew Cachia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:15

Good. Let us hope we never see it again.