A Mellieħa fireworks society has found a stopgap solution to put on its pyrotechnic spectacle this year after the Curia banned it from letting off any fireworks from the roof of the parish church.
The Marija Bambina Society was turned down a month before it was due to present the 14th edition of its annual show next weekend, with the Curia saying this went against a directive it had previously issued on the matter.
Society president Tony Cassar told the Times of Malta that it had since been granted the necessary permits to be able to set off fireworks from the street in front of the church, but said this was not a permanent solution.
“We expect to meet with the Curia as soon as possible to find a long-term solution to this problem. We should not let a tradition like this die, when it could so easily be protected,” he said.
Mr Cassar told the Times of Malta that a scaffolding structure would be erected in front of the church to set off the fireworks and the public would be made to keep a safe distance.
We should not let a tradition like this die
The Marija Bambina display is one of the highlights of the summer festa season, with fireworks enthusiasts describing it as one of the shows to watch.
Back in May, the Curia issued a notice reminding all parishes of a long-standing policy that no fireworks were to be let off from church-owned buildings.
A meeting was held with the Vicar-General in which the society explained why it disagreed with the policy, in a bid to keep the show alive. The society said it was asked to prepare a detailed report and suggestions on how the policy could be updated.
To this end, the society engaged two experts to prepare the report.
It said the report showed that no damage had been caused to the stonework of the parish church and issues regarding safety were addressed.
Various suggestions were also made regarding how to regulate fireworks shows.
After the report was presented, the society was asked to submit suggestions for how the impasse could be broken.
It suggested the appointment of a committee of experts agreed by both sides to oversee the preparations and firing, along with fees to be borne by the organisers. After the new report was presented, no further communication was done before the permit refusal was announced.