Meetings to reduce 'festa' pique making progress - President

President George Abela said today that meetings he has been having with feast organisers and band clubs had yielded significant progress.

Dr Abela made his comments during a reception in Floriana for the feast of St Publius, which marks the opening of the festa season.

Last year, at the same venue President George Abela said that he would not be going to any village feasts where there was pique and division.

He also said he would convene meetings with band club associations, fireworks enthusiasts, the police and the College of Parish Priests to discuss how the feasts could be improved in that there would be a greater civic sense, unity and enjoyment.

He met the Archbishop and the College of Parish Priests to discuss feasts in May.

Dr Abela did not comment further on the progress made in his talks but said the feast of St Publius brought to his mind the Maltese characteristic of hospitality – shown by the way they had received St Paul. The Pope last week had also praised the Maltese for their extraordinary hospitality, Dr Abela observed.