Reminiscing on the August Moon Ball

The article by George Cini (August 2) regarding the 40th year of the Ball of the August Moon held on August 6, to raise money for the Malta Community Chest Fund, brought back some memories for the simple reason that I was attending for the first time a wedding reception at the palazzo in Virtù. From there one can have one of the most beautiful views of the brightly-lit Mdina, the Mosta Dome, the Lija fireworks and even Birżebbuġa.

Naturally, the Verdala Palace was in full view and, together with my friend and my first football coach Leslie Agius, a former headmaster and painter, our small talk went beyond the year 1971. He recalled the time when he was at St Michael’s Training College in the years 1960-62. Br Cuthman and the Malta Playing Fields Association’s executive committee were already organising the August Moon Ball, apart from other fund-raising activities specifically to collect money to buy the equipment for the playing fields.

The MPFA (Mosta district) committee was one of the first and, under the presidency of A. Vella Critien, who also formed part of the national executive committee, was very active. A host of sporting activities were held such as sports days, cross-country runs, football leagues and we as youngsters took part with great enthusiasm. But we also helped the committee when it came to collect funds, such as at flag days, raffles or when we were taken to Verdala Palace to clean up and arrange the tables and chairs for the August Moon Ball patrons.

Later on, when we started attending the Balls, such as the one held at Fort St Angelo under the patronage of President Anton Buttigieg and Mrs Buttigieg, we were entertained with ballroom and disco dancing. But the best one was at Verdala Palace where I went with my Ford Transit van and the security took me for a member of the catering staff and let me park right inside in the grounds to finish the night with the music of Freddie Mizzi and his magical clarinet.