More people taking part in parish feasts

Enthusiasts spent a handsome €1.5 million on parish feasts last year, which works out to an average of €12,155 per feast, according to the latest official statistics.

About a third of the money went into the external activities, which include fireworks, and 16 per cent on administration. Only four per cent went to pay salaries, indicating the high proportion of voluntary participation in such events.

Total income was €1.3 million, on par with the previous year. The main share – 61 per cent – came from donations, the rest from adverts and other commercial activity. In all, almost 3,900 organisers – a slight increase over 2010 – and 8,200 participants took part in the 122 feasts held last year in Malta and Gozo.

Both the number of people involved in organising the feasts and participants in processions increased over 2010 but although there was a slight increase in the number of women, it remains a male-dominated activity. In fact, 76 per cent of organisers and 84 per cent of participants were males.

The largest share of feasts was celebrated in the northern harbour district. With an average of 151 people taking part in processions, the northern district topped all others, followed by Gozo and Comino.