The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, more commonly known as the feast of Santa Marija, is celebrated today.
This happens not only in the towns and villages that are associated with the feast, where processions with the statue of Our Lady, are held. The feast is celebrated all over Malta, and can be described as a landmark of our summer, and probably also marks the start of the countdown towards the end of the season, as our thoughts turn to preparations for the coming winter, schools included.
The religious aspect of such an important day must be given its due importance, although unfortunately over the years people have put this aside as they plan how to spend the day entertaining themselves.
The beaches will be full of people today, as most workers are on leave. Many took the opportunity of the feast falling on a Tuesday to take Monday off as well, to “bridge” a four-day holiday at the price of one day of vacation leave.
Some companies have also shut down for the whole week, although in more recent years these have become fewer in number, as more firms realise that, in a competitive world, they cannot afford to close down for so many days.
Santa Marija is a day for the family, and many take the opportunity to spend the feast day with their loved ones, at a time when the hustle and bustle of everyday life makes it increasingly difficult for families to get together.
In families with both adults working full-time, especially if one of them works awkward hours, including weekends, it has become hard for them to find time to spend together. Today’s feast might provide them the opportunity to do so.
The verb “might” is used deliberately, as today many people will be working as usual, and therefore not everyone will have a holiday that so many take for granted. Drivers, the police, the Armed Forces, hospital staff, waiters, chefs and newspaper people are among those who will not be “celebrating” Santa Marija, but instead will be in their vehicles, offices, wards, restaurants and hotels carrying out their normal day’s duty.
Santa Marija is one of the many – some say too many – public or national holidays that we enjoy in Malta. But it is regarded as one of the more special ones, second perhaps only to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
And this is so also because of the historic link that there is with the feast. We all learnt when we were young about what was known as Operation Pedestal – a convoy of ships that made it to Malta in August 1942, bringing in the much-needed supplies that helped the island survive the enemy onslaught during World War II.
Such an important moment in the history of the island is perhaps not given due attention these days, but its connection with Santa Marija will remain.
In more recent years, Santa Marija has also been linked to a mass exodus to the sister island of Gozo. Many Maltese, especially those who cannot afford to go abroad, spend this week across the channel. It is considered as the peak of internal tourism, and Gozo hoteliers and restaurants look forward to it from year to year – bad business during the Santa Marija week would be highly detrimental. Gozitans who rent farmhouses or apartments will tell you that they are fully booked during this week for months ahead, while some people choose to book from year to year, to avoid being disappointed.
Statistics as to the number of people who made the trip to Gozo will be made known later this week, but it is already evident that once again many Maltese have flocked to the sister island for their Santa Marija weekend holiday.