Citrus Fest draws thousands
San Anton Palace's orange grove was inundated with visitors today for Citrus Fest - the first funding-raising activity this year by the Community Chest Fund. The festival gave visitors the opportunity to take a peek at the President's private orange...
San Anton Palace's orange grove was inundated with visitors today for Citrus Fest - the first funding-raising activity this year by the Community Chest Fund.
The festival gave visitors the opportunity to take a peek at the President's private orange grove and gardens.
The event was organised by the Malta Community Chest Fund and the Rural Affairs Ministry's Naturalment Malti campaign.
Some of the proceeds from the sale of oranges and related products went to the Salesians to rebuild devastated schools in Haiti.
President George Abela, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and Health Secretary Joe Cassar greeted visitors when the activity started at 10 a.m.
Mr Pullicino said: "This is one of a number of festivals we're promoting throughout the year. We're trying to encourage more consumption of fruit due to its health benefits."
Some 600 trees can be found in San Anton's orange grove, and the fruit they bear has been given to royals and European leaders since the 17th Century.
According to President Abela, oranges were given to Queen Elizabeth II last year, a gift she was delighted with. He added that there were 18 varieties of orange that grew in the grove, and they were picked from November through April each year.
Plenty of food was on offer during the event, provided by the Institute of Tourism Studies staff and students.
Palace kitchen staff prepared traditional hobż biz-zejt and lemon and orange cakes. Visitors could then wash it all down with tea or coffee, or citrus drinks prepared by Frott Artna.
Naturally, visitors could buy as many oranges as their hearts desired, along with citrus products from the Lija, Balzan and Attard council stands.