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 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.
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A.Grech
Feb 13th 2010, 21:43
Big well done to the organizers. The event was professionally run and despite the huge crowds it was still a pleasure to attend! Hope it will set an example for other events to follow! There's a video with the Festa's highlights on youtube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH6XnPa64N8
Simone vella
Feb 1st 2010, 11:59
A wonderful event indeed it was an enjoyable outing and a wonderful thought behind it all.
Well done to Salesian Brigade for their wonderful performance. A band made of young voluntary people . Keep up the good work
A pity that they were not even mentioned on the article they are smart and they bring joy were ever they perform.
Peter Korsten
Feb 1st 2010, 08:59
And all those visitors came by car. The Mriehel By-pass was jammed up for over half its length, not to mention the bit from the Financial Centre to the right turn into Attard, near the Corinthia Hotel.
Given that there's hardly anywhere to park at the best of times in that area, perhaps a next time it could be considered that roads get closed off, or made one-way, and shuttle bus services be provided, so that even more people may enjoy this festivity.
Joe Spiteri
Feb 1st 2010, 00:15
A big round of applause to the idea, initiative and well organised event that once again, succeeded in demonstrating how great Our President and Our First Lady and their staff are in bringing the best out of us maltese. Well done!
carmel mifsud
Jan 31st 2010, 21:13
Thank you Mr President for such an event. Your success led to me to ask a simple question. In the past were did all this citrus produce go? Was it donated to charitable Institutions or did it all go to waste.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 31st 2010, 19:22
Hemm huma il Maltin, Prosit !!!, okkazjoni sabiha hafna mdawla b temp sabih. Il frott huwa minghajr ebda dubju sustanzjuz hafna, kemm ghall vitamini li fih kif wkoll ghall gisem. Kont qed naqra artiklu fuq meta wiehed ghandu jiekol il frott. Dan ghandu jsehh xi kwarta qabel l' ikel u mhux wara, bhalla deserta !!!
Prosit tassew !!
John Carmel Navarro
Jan 31st 2010, 18:43
The good weather welcomed the thousands who flocked into St Anton Gardens, our President and First lady were there greeting everybody. A super event which got the imagination going of nearly the whole Nation, how wonderful for people to acknowledge the pure goodness of citrus fruits. The whole idea was just super how lucky we are in Malta to be able to access such places like the President’s residence private gardens something which unfortunately other Countries cannot enjoy due to security reasons. My British wife just cannot get over how easy it is to rub shoulders with our Leaders. Very well done to all who put together such an enjoyable day.
Charls Sacco
Jan 31st 2010, 18:00
It was a most enjoyable day crowned by holy mass at the Russian Chapel. I am sure that the thousands that attended have left a good sum for charity. Well done Your Excellencies! Once again you have shown that the presidency if for the people!