Festivals Malta has lauched the programme for the feast of St Gregory to be held on Wednesday in Żejtun and on the Marsaxlokk promenade. Like last year, the rich programme starts early in the morning and continues late into the afternoon.

The events include religious celebrations, among them the pilgrimage from Chapel of St Clement, to the parish of St Catherine in Żejtun and the Church of St Gregory, as well as entertainment by many Maltese folk singers (għannejja) and musicians along the Marsaxlokk promenade. 

These activities are organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with the Żejtun and Marsaxlokk councils. The St Gregory Day activities form part of the Għanafest festival under Festivals Malta and celebrate local folk culture.

The St Gregory pilgrimage dates back centuries, although no one knows exactly when and why it began. There are many theories regarding this, among them a vow to bring to an end a tragedy such as a plague or the destruction of crops, or a thanksgiving for a storm which warded off a pirate attack on the Maltese Islands.

What we know for certain is that this ritual has been taking place since at least 1543, because of notarial documents which describe it and which indicate that it had already been taking place since long before.

A full programme is available online.

www.għanafest.com