From the traditional 'gostra' game to the world's first privately-funded migrant rescue mission, as well as the ice bucket challenge and action from football's Premier League - A selection of some of the best photos taken over the past week by Times of Malta photographers.

A man slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. In the traditional "gostra", young men, women and children have to make their way to the top of a pole and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. In the traditional "gostra", young men, women and children have to make their way to the top of a pole and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man grabs a flag as he slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man grabs a flag as he slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man tries to grab a flag as he slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man tries to grab a flag as he slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man grabs a flag as he falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man grabs a flag as he falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man clutches a flag as he falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man clutches a flag as he falls off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the week-long celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's, on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Westin Dragonara general manager, Michael Camilleri Kamsky (right of red bucket), and staff pour ice cold water over themselves on August 22, after being nominated by their friends at Hilton Malta for the ALS challenge. In turn, they nominated Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, Air Malta CEO Louis Giordimaina and Starwood Hotels vice president Robert Koren. The challenge is helping raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system. Photo: Matthew MirabelliWestin Dragonara general manager, Michael Camilleri Kamsky (right of red bucket), and staff pour ice cold water over themselves on August 22, after being nominated by their friends at Hilton Malta for the ALS challenge. In turn, they nominated Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, Air Malta CEO Louis Giordimaina and Starwood Hotels vice president Robert Koren. The challenge is helping raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Regina Catrambone walks on board the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, in Grand Harbour, before the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. The privately-funded humanitarian project initiated by Malta-based Christopher and Regina Catrambone, seeks to mitigate the loss of human lives by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. The Catrambones said they felt compelled to act following an appeal by Pope Francis after several hundred African migrants drowned off the Italian island of Lampedusa in October 2013. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiRegina Catrambone walks on board the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, in Grand Harbour, before the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. The privately-funded humanitarian project initiated by Malta-based Christopher and Regina Catrambone, seeks to mitigate the loss of human lives by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. The Catrambones said they felt compelled to act following an appeal by Pope Francis after several hundred African migrants drowned off the Italian island of Lampedusa in October 2013. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Regina Catrambone bids farewell to her husband Christopher on board the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, before he sets sail with the vessel from Grand Harbour for its first 20-day mission on August 25. The privately-funded humanitarian project initiated by Malta-based Christopher and Regina Catrambone, seeks to mitigate the loss of human lives by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiRegina Catrambone bids farewell to her husband Christopher on board the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, before he sets sail with the vessel from Grand Harbour for its first 20-day mission on August 25. The privately-funded humanitarian project initiated by Malta-based Christopher and Regina Catrambone, seeks to mitigate the loss of human lives by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Crew members watch as a dolphin jumps in front of the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, off Malta, during the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiCrew members watch as a dolphin jumps in front of the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, off Malta, during the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) lifts off from the flight deck of the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, off Malta, during the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiAn unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) lifts off from the flight deck of the Phoenix, the expedition vessel of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) project, off Malta, during the vessel's first 20-day mission on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A pod of dolphins jump in front of the MOAS boat, the Phoenix, as it sails south off Malta on August 25. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA pod of dolphins jump in front of the MOAS boat, the Phoenix, as it sails south off Malta on August 25. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A dolphin jumps out of the water off the south coast of Malta on August 25. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA dolphin jumps out of the water off the south coast of Malta on August 25. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

U.S. Ambassador to Libya Deborah Jones speaks to the media at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Malta in Attard, on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiU.S. Ambassador to Libya Deborah Jones speaks to the media at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Malta in Attard, on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Wood and tyres go up in flames at a property owned by developer Charles Polidano in Hal-Farrug on August 27. Photo: Chris Sant FournierWood and tyres go up in flames at a property owned by developer Charles Polidano in Hal-Farrug on August 27. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A huge beam is lifted in preparation for restoration at St Publius Church in Floriana on August 26. Photo: Jason BorgA huge beam is lifted in preparation for restoration at St Publius Church in Floriana on August 26. Photo: Jason Borg

A ray of sunlight lights up a worker and the sides of planks put up in preparation for restoration works at St Publius Church in Floriana on August 26. Photo: Jason BorgA ray of sunlight lights up a worker and the sides of planks put up in preparation for restoration works at St Publius Church in Floriana on August 26. Photo: Jason Borg

Horses take shelter from the sun at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierHorses take shelter from the sun at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A family uses a swing at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierA family uses a swing at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Members of the Marsascala Croquet Club enjoy a game of croquet at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierMembers of the Marsascala Croquet Club enjoy a game of croquet at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Members of the Marsascala Croquet Club enjoy a game of croquet at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierMembers of the Marsascala Croquet Club enjoy a game of croquet at the Family Park in Marsascala on August 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A man tends to his remote-controlled helicopter as a grass fire close to the premises of the Malta Model Aircraft Association in Ta' Qali provides an unusual backdrop to the flying aircraft on August 27. The fire caused no serious damage. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man tends to his remote-controlled helicopter as a grass fire close to the premises of the Malta Model Aircraft Association in Ta' Qali provides an unusual backdrop to the flying aircraft on August 27. The fire caused no serious damage. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Sliema’s Antonio Petkovic is blocked by San Giljan’s Andreas Galea during their Premier league match at the National Pool at Tal-Qroqq on August 23. Photo: Matthew MirabelliSliema’s Antonio Petkovic is blocked by San Giljan’s Andreas Galea during their Premier league match at the National Pool at Tal-Qroqq on August 23. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Pieta Hotspurs’ Malcolm Licari (front) and Mosta’s Tyrone Farrugia clash in an aerial duel during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiPieta Hotspurs’ Malcolm Licari (front) and Mosta’s Tyrone Farrugia clash in an aerial duel during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat, playing his 500th and final Premier League match before retiring, fails to save a penalty shot during the Premier League match against Qormi at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiHibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat, playing his 500th and final Premier League match before retiring, fails to save a penalty shot during the Premier League match against Qormi at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Qormi’s Albert Bruce tackles Hibernians’ Clayton Failla during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiQormi’s Albert Bruce tackles Hibernians’ Clayton Failla during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Birkirkara’s Zach Muscat rolls over the back of Zebbug’s Matthew Gauci during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’Qali on August 23. Photo: Matthew MirabelliBirkirkara’s Zach Muscat rolls over the back of Zebbug’s Matthew Gauci during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’Qali on August 23. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Birkirkara striker Liliu (left) scores his side’s second goal against Zebbug Rangers at the National Stadium on August 23. Photo: Matthew MirabelliBirkirkara striker Liliu (left) scores his side’s second goal against Zebbug Rangers at the National Stadium on August 23. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Qormi’s Maurizio Matias Latini Mazzetti (left) pulls down Balzan’s Gianmarco Piccioni during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiQormi’s Maurizio Matias Latini Mazzetti (left) pulls down Balzan’s Gianmarco Piccioni during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Balzan’s Justin Grioli clears the ball away from Qormi’s Joseph Chetcuti during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiBalzan’s Justin Grioli clears the ball away from Qormi’s Joseph Chetcuti during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Balzan’s goalkeeper Steve Sultana (3rd left) beats Qormi’s Alfred Effiong (left) to the ball during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiBalzan’s goalkeeper Steve Sultana (3rd left) beats Qormi’s Alfred Effiong (left) to the ball during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Hibernians’ Jorginho (right) beats Sliema’s Andrea Scozzese to the ball during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiHibernians’ Jorginho (right) beats Sliema’s Andrea Scozzese to the ball during their Premier League match at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on August 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

 

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