As you read this article, you are probably taking a break from your routine. You're probably not at work, and even if you don't hail from one of the seven villages that celebrate the Ascension into Heaven of Our Lady, you're hopefully still enjoying a pleasant day off. If on the other hand, you are indeed celebrating the feast of Santa Marija today, then probably rest isn't a priority - if you're an organizer of your local feast, for you today is the apex of a year's preparation and sacrifices.
However this article isn't meant to be addressed to those celebrating Santa Marija today only. Through this article I'd like to share a couple of thoughts about the Maltese festa in general, an event that is so deeply rooted in our culture and identity.
Every summer, weekend after weekend, the Maltese and tourists alike are treated to an exceptional spectacle, very definitely unique to this island. The Maltese festa doesn’t limit itself to the elaborate tapestries that adorn our streets or the picturesque skylines of our villages decorated with the occasion’s flags and festoons. Its not even about the superb artistic masterpieces of saints and other ecclesiastical figures that are elevated on purposely set-up ‘monuments’ for the occasion – monuments that are masterpieces of fine craftsmanship and design in their own right. The breath-taking pyrotechnical displays know no rivalry, and the rich ware in our century-old churches is testimony to our ecclesiastical and artistic patrimony.
It is indeed an arduous task to make a list of all those elements that make up a Maltese festa, as preparations are vast and extensive. All the elements contribute like colourful threads in the grand design of a tapestry.
The contribution and dedication of the volunteers is priceless as it is proof of their commitment to the feast. Every year in every village, a vast number of young people dedicate time, energy and resources to help in the organization and implementation of these events. This contributes directly to the same youths as it becomes an exercise of character building, as they learn to work in a team, work under pressure, and meet dead-lines. Furthermore these young people are given a superior aim that keeps them busy during the summer months.
Problems arise when our village feasts become and end in themselves and they no longer remain a means to celebrate our patron saints.
At this point we run the risk that the feast becomes an excuse by which we celebrate our band club or association instead of the very saint to whom the feast is dedicated – in other words, we will be celebrating ourselves.
For this reason, whoever is involved at any level with the organisation of the village festa should make sure that the focus stays on the saints we celebrate, and their holy lives. These events should help us become closer as a community, while bringing us closer to our village’s identity - but the emphasis should remain on the true reason why we celebrate our feasts in the first place.
I wish a Happy Feast to all of Malta and Gozo – those who already celebrated their feast, those who are in the middle of the celebrations and those who are still amidst preparations. May this year be characterized by true celebrations, true to the Christian faith they celebrate.
Dr Jason Azzopardi is
Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry