The Ħamruniżi crave this week, I am no exception. The Ħamruniżi are truly well and ready to celebrate the feast of San Gejtanu, reaching the climax in the coming weekend, in style.  The way in which we, the Hamrunizi, pay tribute to San Gejtanu is unique in more ways than one.  The feast in honour of San Gejtanu has a high content of spiritual affection.  But then, it is also a week-long festival of colourful celebrations.  San Gejtanu is a unifying figure for the Ħamruniżi.  San Gejtanu is so much synonymous with Ħamrun that I can hardly imagine Ħamrun without the feast of San Gejtanu.  

What could be so important this week for the Ħamrunizi that cannot wait?  Without doubt, there is hardly anything of more significance than the feast of San Gejtanu for the young and old Ħamrunizi.  It is in our DNA.  Ħamrunizi living as far away as Australia and Canada plan their holidays to visit their loved ones during this time of the year and flock to the gathered masses at St Joseph High Street.

During this week, the weather temperature is forecast to be sunny and humid.  The ‘feels like’ numbers are set to be higher.   Locally produced cold beer will quench the thirst.  Chilled water is equally good to quench the thirst.  Of course, the spirit of the feast is not bottled or canned, though customarily it is an obligatory commodity.        

But who was San Gejtanu? Born Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene, San Gejtanu was an Italian Catholic priest who lived between 1 October 1480 and 7 August 1547.  A religious reformer, with others he founded the Theatines in 1524.  Bishop Gian Pietro Carafa, who later became Pope Paul IV, wrote the constitutions of the Order.  Through these constitutions and the pontificate of the Pope, the Order sought to reform Catholic morality.  

The Theatines, and a number of other religious orders founded in the Counter-Reformation, sought to help the sick and the needy.  Although these religious Orders did not question Catholic ideology, they were concerned about the direction the Church was going in.  They advocated clerical reform through asceticism and apostolic work.  Their work satisfied the Catholic belief in ‘salvation through good works’.   

Back to Ħamrun. The religious and solemn celebrations will, this year, be in the hands of the recently installed Parish Priest Fr Walter Cauchi.  Together with his team, he will ensure that the solemn part of the feast is undertaken with the sobriety it deserves.  I confess I have only met Parish Priest Cauchi once, but was impressed with his outstanding broad vision on the many subjects we touched on.  He is certainly an asset to the Church, and to Ħamrun.      

But what are the Ħamrunizi renowned for?  Undoubtedly the two band clubs: San Gejtanu Band Club, Tat-Tamal or il-Kazin t’Isfel and St Joseph Band Club, Tal-Miskina or il-Kazin ta’ Fuq.  Both band clubs muster thousands of supporters.  The San Gejtanu Band Club supporters dress from head to toe in red, while the St Joseph Band Club enthusiasts are draped in blue.  From afar, they are easily told apart because of the distinctive colours.      

The fraternal rivalries between the two band clubs manifest itself on Sunday morning.  Most likely, it is this competition that makes the Ħamrun feast one of the most electrifying on the islands.   Most of the preparations are carried out by a large number of volunteers under the watchful eye of the respective central committees.  The respective central committees work in tandem and look at every minute detail, with senior police officers, local council representatives and other bodies to ensure that law and order are maintained at all times.

Both band clubs have their magnificent premises in St. Joseph High Street.  The St Joseph Band Club is well positioned just opposite the main entrance of the parish church, while that of San Gejtanu is a few metres away on the way to Valletta. 

Both clubs own band marches that send their supporters into frenzy.  I will only mention the memorable Innu Banda San Gejtanu composed by Mro. Joseph Abela Scolaro for the homonymous band club and the immortal Innu Marcia San Gejtanu composed by Mro. Willie Attard for the blues.  Of course, there are other band marches which rejuvenate the supporters with a rhythm that moves. Enthusiastically, supporters clap, sing and shout with vigour approved lyrics.   Red and blue flags abound.    

On Sunday evening, the statue of San Gejtanu is triumphantly carried shoulder-high throughout the streets of Ħamrun.  The climax is reached with the traditional run up the parvis steps to the church main portal. The last prayers are said and everything is put away till next year.  

But now it’s time to celebrate - Viva San Gejtanu.   

 

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