Żejtun on Wednesday came alive as people gathered to celebrate the feast of San Girgor, traditionally celebrated the Wednesday after Easter.

Events kicked off with a pilgrimage from the chapel of St Clement, with Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the town archpriest and the clergy leading the way to the parish.

There, the clergy was joined by horse-drawn carts, with the participants decked out in traditional local costumes. 

After Mass, a programme of events featuring traditional folk music and children’s games was organised by Festivals Malta in the square in front of the church. 

The crowd later made its way to Marsaxlokk to enjoy the rest of the day with traditional music and għana, food, tombola and – for the really committed ones – their first swim. 

There were also a number of stalls with traditional crafts such as the loom, filigree, pottery, cane work, glass and lace.

This year, the festivities also included the 12th edition of Għanafest, a traditional event that highlights għana, which this year will take place on June 21 and 22 at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

The festival will feature foreign folk artists on its programme, including Sherazade, an Algerian singer. The Travellers, a local band which celebrates the Maltese language, are expected to be another highlight.

Besides the traditional segments of għana, the main stage will also host contemporary bands Skald and Mistura. For the main stage, Għanafest has also invited ‘Sherazade et Lavion Rose’, a French folk group which is being brought to Malta in collaboration with the French Embassy.

Gastronomy also plays a big part in the festival, with the Mediterranean Culinary Academy holding interactive live cooking sessions using indigenous Maltese fish, while the traditional aljotta will be prepared by the fishermen’s wives.