The small village of Qala celebrates the feast of the patron saint on the first Sunday of August. The villagers celebrate the traditional feast as it should be celebrated in this day and age. Festa organizers should learn from this small village with the positive attitude and big heart.
There is total coordination and harmony among the religious organizations and the secular ones responsible for the external festivities. The local council, the band club Ite Et Josef, the fireworks groups, together with the young people responsible for decorating and organising the outdoor events, the business community that raises funds and work as a team. Special mention must go the superb Leħen il-Qala Radio station.
The church services were extremely well attended with very active congregations throughout the whole week. The religious music was of very high standard, perfect for the occasion. Pastoral activity was at its peak with the help of guest priests.
The feast simply had everything in moderation and panache. Fireworks were let off only in the evenings and were always restrained. The village is renowned for one of the best street fireworks (ġigġifogu) in Malta and Gozo. It is a credit to Vince ir-Rigu and his team.
The band marches are an opportunity for getting all sectors of the community, young and old, together. Qala festa supporters give a striking example on how to enjoy traditional band marches. They sing praises and not taunt or arouse pique. They should be a model for many feast organisers where the traditional band marches are not a family event. Unsocial behaviour is not tolerated.
The procession is the highlight of the week. The now popular main hymn creates the right feeling when the statute is taken out of the church.
A decade ago the Qala festa was for an ageing population. Now the feast has become an event where the young show the pride they have in their traditions. A very large number of third generation emigrants flock to Qala every year.
This event was beamed live thanks to live streaming on the Internet. This year the organisers also installed a roving camera and transmitted the events live. Maltese and Gozitans from Australia, Canada, the United States of America, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium and Denmark, and from other countries connected with Leħen il-Qala during the televised direct transmissions. Tiny Qala brought the people of the world together.
The Qala Archpriest, Mgr Joe Zammit, has a knack of bringing people together. An archpriest who is a master of communication and understands the value of social networking. Together with mayor Paul Buttigieg, he succeeded in uniting whole village. They make sure that the festa remains a popular event while making it a tribute to Saint Joseph, the patron saint.
Qala feast is a very happy social event. It is a contemporary, spiritual annual renewal − an example of how feasts should be celebrated in this day and age.
Paul Fenech
Qala