Following a wet and windy start to the week, the weather forecast is promising a brighter and warmer day just in time for Wednesday's San Girgor celebrations which, for many, marks their first dip in the sea.

In reality, however, the centuries-long tradition is much more than that. 

The feast, which has been marked since at least the 1500s, is celebrated on the first Wednesday after Easter Sunday.

In the past it used to consist of a procession by confraternities from all Maltese parishes starting from Mdina and ending with a religious ceremony at the Żejtun parish church.

Nowadays, the pilgrimage is considerably shorter as it starts from the chapel of St Clement in Żejtun. 

From there, participants, accompanied by the Archbishop, the archpriest and the clergy, head to the Żejtun parish church where the Miserere mei, Deus (Have mercy on me, O God) Psalm is sung. 

There will be several artisan and food stalls in the square

They then continue to Żejtun’s old parish church, popularly known as San Girgor, where the clergy will be joined by horse-drawn carts and the participants will be dressed in traditional local costumes. 

Following Mass, Festivals Malta will ensure that this year the Żejtun festivities continue with folk music by għannejja and children’s games in the square in front of the church. 

There will also be several artisan and food stalls scattered around the area. 

The religious function and activities in Żejtun will then see the crowd make its way to Marsaxlokk to relax and enjoy the rest of the day with traditional music and għana, food, tombola, and – for the brave ones – their first swim. 

At Marsaxlokk, two stages will be set up on the waterfront for a folk programme that includes daqq tal-prejjem and botta u risposta. There will also be a number of stalls with traditional crafts such as the loom, filigree, pottery, cane work, glass and lace.

The feast will kick off with the procession from St Clement at 9.30am. Mass will be said at 10.30am and the Marsaxlokk events will get under way at noon.

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