It is a great pity that feasts have to be called off because of fights or because there is disagreement between different band clubs in the same locality.

I do not wish to go into specific feasts, but I would like my comments to be taken in general. Too many feasts have been cancelled over the past years because of such disputes. We should learn from the past to make the future better.

Feasts are there to celebrate the patron saint of the village, and should never be turned into a battle between different factions. If anything, these different factions should collaborate so as to better organise their feast.

Feasts are successful if everyone has a good time, not when there are fights – be they verbal or physical. After all, one must remember that many families are present during band marches and the like and children might get hurt in brawls that ensue.

The Curia does well to cancel external celebrations when trouble is brewing, although unfortunately this also means that the great majority of the residents must suffer alongside those few people who create problems.

But I believe that this is what should be done to instill greater responsibility.

A. Caruana

San Gwann