The summer festa season may well be over and the decorations stored away but a publication bringing together the different aspects of these traditional feasts promises to keep the enthusiasm going.
... a salient characteristic of the holiday season..- Joanne Cocks
The first volume in a 12-part series entitled Ilwien il-Festi Maltin (Colours of Maltese Festas) seeks to celebrate the splendour of the village celebrations that are a salient characteristic of the holiday season on the island.
Photographer Mark Micallef and editor Andrew Borg joined forces to produce “an unfolding photographic representation that probes all aspects of the Maltese festa”.
Mr Borg explains that the photographic experience they are sharing seeks to document each feast celebrated across Malta and Gozo, be it a celebration in honour of a patron saint, a secondary feast or simply a devotional manifestation.
Each volume will highlight the particular charm behind the feasts, also thanks to Mr Micallef’s photography. He shoots more than 30,000 images during a festa season.
The publication seeks to capture the many facets of the manifestation: popular devotion, liturgy, sacred music, band marches, aerial and land fireworks displays, priceless church furnishings, street decorations and artistic statues.
The aim of the series, Mr Micallef and Mr Borg explain, is to instil a keen appreciation of the work of the legion of volunteers who sacrifice long hours of their limited free time to make sure their town or village celebrates its feast in style.
The 272-page book, featuring more than 650 colour photos, has captions in both English and Maltese. It covers the feasts of St Paul, Rabat; St Peter, Birżebbuġa; St Joseph, Kirkop; the Assumption of Our Lady, Mqabba; Our Lady of Lourdes, Paola; Our Lady of Victories, Senglea and the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, Victoria.
It also includes a message by Archbishop Paul Cremona, an analytical study about the Maltese festa by Charles Coleiro and an introduction by Mr Borg and Mr Micallef.
The book, which is available from leading bookshops, parishes and band clubs, will this weekend also be on sale during the festa activity at Monte Cristo Estates.
Further information is available from Mr Micallef via e-mail markmicallef1985@gmail.com (tel. 7905 8691), Mr Borg at deerandrew@gmail.com (tel. 9938 5496) or from Facebook group Ilwien il-Festi Maltin.