Once more the two yearly events of the Festa tal-Ħobż and the Lejl f’Casal Fornaro held respectively on Friday and Saturday 16 and 17 September were crowd pullers. Thousands of Maltese, as well as hundreds of tourists, thronged the streets of the parish of St Sebastian at Qormi. For these cultural and artistic occasions, the rather narrow streets of the old quarters of the parish were purposely dressed up with appropriate quaint street furniture, including innovative candle illuminations by chandeliers and decorative lamp posts placed in strategic spots.

All those who participated surely appreciated the exhibitions of statues and paintings, of implements of traditional farming and baking including an old horse-drawn bread seller’s carriage and also a cart laden with bales of straw. This cultural and artistic milieu was further enhanced by shows given by several well-known singers and folkloristic Maltese and Gozitan groups. The popular Dire Straits Group of Ragusa (Italy) also took part. Moreover, a massed band entertained the ground by playing lively music while marching merrily along the streets; indeed, it was a massive band as these bandsmen were recruited from the first eight band clubs established in the Maltese islands. A replica of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was exhibited particularly for the amusement of children.

It is interesting to note that several foreign bakers accepted an invitation to exhibit and sell their traditional loaves. There were at least two particular events which tickled agreeably the fancy of many persons, old and young and also male and female. I am referring to the pudini (sweet cakes made of Maltese bread) competition for which 21 housewives entered and an 80 metres long baguette which was served with a filling of tomato paste, oil, salt, pepper and other Mediterranean herbs and sold in the record time of barely two and a half hours. The amount of money raised by selling these two food items were donated to the Puttinu Cares Foundation.

Most of those present for these events got excited even over other food items, ranging from pork ribs and fillet steaks to stewed meat and fried rabbit, ravioli and cooked snails to chicken thighs and bread rolls filled with parma ham and mozzarella or bigilla. Various types of dessert such as fresh fruit, cup cakes, cream pastries, honey rings, ice-cream, nuts and peanuts were also available. A glass of wine or a soft drink tended to round up the meal.

The excellent organisation of these two “magical” evenings and nights was in the capable hands of the Kummissjoni

Żgħażagħ Bastjanizi. They received sterling help from such entities as the Pinto Philharmonic Society, St Sebastian Decoration Group, St Sebastian Pyrotechnic Group, the parish priest Rev. Joseph Buhagiar, Carmel Debono of Maypole Bakeries, government entities, parliament members from the 6th District, mayor, counsellors and staff from the Qormi local council and staff from the Qormi police station.

Well done everyone and see you next year.

■ Simon Falzon

Coordinator

Lejl f’Casal Fornaro

Kummissjoni Żgħażagħ Bastjaniz