From Dr R. Xerri

It was a normal evening on 3 March in Qala when the news that Bernard Curmi had passed away shocked the village and Qalin around the world. To properly understand who Bernard Curmi was to the village of Qala – he was its mascot. Whoever knew Bernard, knew the

village and people of Qala.

Bernard was a family man whom I have known since I was a child. He told me that he had held me in his arms when I was just a year-and-a-half old, at the St Joseph feast in 1971, because the powerful fireworks had frightened me. His home was the Qala Square, and he travelled on his famous bike for most of his life. He liked hopping from one bar to the other, meeting people and telling jokes.

He was a pioneer in establishing an organised football team in Qala in 1968, and remained active until a few years ago. Bernard was a major contributor to the feast of St Joseph at Qala and particularly to the ground and sky fireworks for which Qala is famous. The appreciation of this man is marked by a specific ground firework, known as the “Bernardu”, which depicts a man on his bike!

Bernard was a person of the people and everyone knew, liked and respected him. Above all, he taught me and many Qalin how to love our village and its people. I can comfortably say that Bernard was one of a handful of people who shaped and influenced my passionate love for Qala and its people and for St Joseph and the Immaculate Conception. His simplicity, his strong but humorous character and his persistence in promoting Qala were impressive.

Last December, Qala local council recognised his lifelong work by decorating him with the “Gieh il-Qala”. Bernard was passionate about seeing Qala progress and emerge at the forefront in many areas, especially at firework displays at the two Qala feasts.

“Bloqq”, (how he used to call his friends), thank you for all you have done for me, for Qala and for the Qalin. You were always at the core of the village – my father’s best friend; Qala will not be the same without you and you will be sorely missed. Bernard, your family will remain in our prayers and will be assisted in anyway that is needed by us all. What is certain is that your lifelong work and your memory will not be forgotten but will live on, part of the history of our village – Qala.

May the Lord grant him peace.

Raymond Xerri

QALA