Today will see thousands of people – tourists and locals alike – unite in Mgarr’s church square to embrace and celebrate one of Malta’s most beloved harvests: Festa Frawli (Strawberry feast). Now in its 13th year, the festival has rapidly become a landmark on the spring calendar. Local farmer Benny Camilleri explains.
“I get up every day at 3 am, I put on the head torch and tend to the strawberries first. Young people don’t want to do this kind of work anymore, and I don’t blame them. It isn’t easy work: in fact it’s much easier to make money by working in an office.
Me? Well, I was born into it. I’ve been growing strawberries for over 40 years, and farming here, like my parents before me. I was born in Mgarr. There’s a wonderful sub-climate here that lends itself well to strawberry growing. Still, it doesn’t make things easy. We do everything by hand and strawberries are very fragile. In January, hungry birds come and eat them as there isn’t much else around. It’s heart-breaking, getting up and seeing the crops destroyed – but you have to carry on!” Benny Camilleri and his family are one of Mgarr’s most renowned strawberry producers.
Photos Michael Camilleri
The fragility of the humble strawberry is considerably underestimated. Benny explains: “Too much rain, they die. Too little water and they die. Even covering them with the sheets you see here: they protect them to some degree but still, if it is too warm then water condenses and drips on them. Then there are bugs: too many of them and the plants die. However, we don’t use pesticides here, we use a technique whereby we have insects that fight off other insects to deter them. I have to spend a considerable amount of time abroad, researching how to grow mouth-watering strawberries successfully without the need for nasty chemicals.
“Years ago, people used to like the tiny Maltese strawberries, now I am asked for the biggest ones we have! On the day of the Festa, our preparations start at 2.30am, moving boxes back and forth to the village square. Around midday, I like to head up there myself, sit down for a minute and watch everyone enjoying the strawberries. It gives me great satisfaction: it’s wonderful to see how many people come from far and wide, just for strawberries!”
Watching 64-year-old Benny hand pick and fill another box of strawberries, I ask him if crouching over them hurts his back. His reply: “Well yes, I’ve had two back operations, although I mustn’t complain: I just get on with it!”
Festa Frawli returns to Mgarr Church square today, from 10am. Expect to see thousands of strawberries as they are picked, prepared and packed for the event. And fresh strawberries are not the only thing on sale at the Festa Frawli: you can also find a range of strawberry-inspired goods such as jam, ice cream, cheesecakes, dumplings, spring rolls, arancini, pastries, cakes, lemonade, smoothies and milkshakes. You can purchase strawberry wine, liquors and cocktails at the Gin Bar and there will also be a vegan and gluten-free stall.
There will also be plenty of traditional Maltese entertainment throughout the day, with folk groups playing traditional Maltese instruments, such as iż-żaqq (Maltese bagpipes), it-tambur (Maltese tambourine) and il-flejguta (Maltese folk flute), more of our local talent and this year’s special guest DJ Pierre Cordina
To mark Festa Frawli, Heritage Malta will be opening Ta’ Ħaġrat at the reduced price of €3. Guided tours will be available at 9.30am (in English), 10.30am (in Maltese), 11.30am (in English), 12.30pm (in Maltese), 1.30pm (in English) and 2.30pm (in Maltese). To ensure that visitors enjoy a personalised tour of the site, there will be a maximum of 25 people on each tour and tickets can be purchased on the day from Ta’ Ħaġrat. Parking for the event will be available near the square, and there will also be a park-and-ride service from Ta’ Qali. Public Transport Routes 44, 238 and 101 from Cirkewwa will also be operating.
Festa Frawli, is organised by Mgarr Local Council and helped by volunteers from Lejla Mgarrija.
