Ever since its former president, Anton Buttigieg, became President of the country, it has been the tradition for the St Gaetan Band Club in Hamrun invites the Head of State to its festa reception, a week before the actual St Gaetan festa.

But this evening's reception will be held without the presence of President Fenech Adami. In fact, the President's engagements list last weekend did not mention his attendence.

It is thought highly unlikely for the President to have been invited and refuse to go. In the past years all Presidents have been invited and all attended, or sent the Acting President when they were away.

In particular, President Guido de Marco, who had been a vice-president of the club in earlier days and made it a point to attend year after year. It would therefore seem that the President this year was not invited by the club, in a consciously-made decision.