The St Michael’s Fireworks Society and the principal licence holder have buried the hatchet after a lengthy dispute that hampered fireworks production leading to a heavily scaled-back programme for the Lija feast.
In a statement distributed to households in the village, the society and licensee Emanuel Farrugia jointly declared they had reached an agreement.
Mr Farrugia, who has been responsible for the factory for 40 years, gave up his licence, paving the way for the society to appoint a new licensee.
Mediation efforts involving both parties’ lawyers had been going on since last month when The Times reported that the Lija feast could have ended up without its renowned fireworks displays.
The dispute disrupted the fireworks programme and, according to the society, fireworks will only be let off on the feast day proper in a heavily scaled-back programme this year.
The feud dragged on for almost a year and, in March, the society’s committee approved a vote of no confidence in Mr Farrugia, asking him to hand over the responsibility of the factory to society president Brian Spiteri.
In the joint declaration, the society thanked Mr Farrugia for his service throughout the years. In his watch, the factory won a number of international honours for its fireworks displays, the society said, adding that the Lija feast became an annual appointment for many Maltese. Both parties agreed on the best way forward and Mr Farrugia has now resigned his post.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Farrugia said the factory was no longer his responsibility. “Good luck to them. I always gave my utmost throughout the 40 years and every moment was one to cherish,” he said.
Society secretary Joseph Mangion was happy with the solution even though it came very late in the day to make amends for this year’s feast. “It would have been better had we resolved this issue in March when it erupted but, at least, we now have what we wanted and the licensee permit will be shifting to the president Brian Spiteri,” he said.
The paper work to obtain a licence for Mr Spiteri is awaiting approval of the competent authorities and Mr Mangion expects them to clear the transfer by next week given that the feast is less than a month away.
“We will have a reduced programme this year. Fireworks will be let off on the feast day proper but it will not be like usual. However, our aim is to have a full programme next year,” Mr Mangion said.
Every fireworks factory has to have a licensee who is legally responsible both for the factory and the production process. The licensee’s signature is needed to procure explosive material for fireworks and his assent is also required for the police to issue permits so the fireworks can be let off.
The feast of the Transfiguration of Christ the Saviour is celebrated in Lija on August 6.