Haitians benefit from Citrus Fest

San Anton Palace's lush and beautiful gardens were inundated with visitors to the Citrus Fest yesterday.

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 formed part of the Rural Affairs Ministry's Naturalment Malti campaign. All proceeds collected from the event are intended to go to victims of the Haitian earthquake, via the Salesian Brothers, to rebuild devastated schools in the Caribbean island nation.

The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with President George Abela, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and Health Secretary Joe Cassar addressing the crowd as a big band played a cheery tune.

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 said 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, with Institute of Tourism Studies staff and students making food laced with oranges, such as rice and soup, for hungry visitors. They also prepared cakes and biscuits.

Palace kitchen staff prepared traditional hobż biż-żejt 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.

Children were kept entertained with pony rides and face painting and people could even plant and "adopt" a tree in the gardens if they wished.