[attach id=257222 size="medium"]The cancellation of the feast followed the sudden death of the village’s archpriest Fr Eric Overend. He is pictured walking next to Archbishop Paul Cremona. Photo: Photocity[/attach]

The Band Clubs’ Association has criticised the Curia’s decision to cancel the Żejtun feast, saying there was no adequate consultation.

The cancellation of the feast, after the sudden death of the village’s archpriest Fr Eric Overend, did not go down well with many organisations calling for the festivities to go ahead as usual.

The association said feasts were a religious, cultural and social legacy organised jointly by the bands, fireworks enthusiasts and the parish priests.

It deemed it “unfair” that the decision was taken without proper consultation with those concerned after months of hard work and sacrifice by volunteers. The feast of St Catherine, scheduled for June, was cancelled on May 9 following the sudden death of Fr Overend.

The decision sparked an online petition by disappointed enthusiasts, prompting the Church to reconsider its verdict but, earlier this week, the Curia announced that its decision was final.

Decision was taken without proper consultation with those concerned

The association pointed out that, last year, it had proposed a board of direction for feasts that would represent all the stakeholders, regulate the sector and make decisions based on consensus. The proposal was made in the context of a proposed agreement on the feasts. However, the draft agreement had been rejected by the Church, the association said. In its statement this week, the Church said Archbishop Paul Cremona accepted to review his decision after a proposal was made for the feast activities to be toned down rather than be cancelled altogether.

However, Beland Band, Żejtun Band and associations embracing fireworks and feast decorations enthusiasts felt that the Żejtun feast should be held as usual.