On the evening of Saturday 27 August, Spinola Bay was subjected to a relentless – and pointless – barrage of petards that lasted 35 minutes, supposedly in honour of a legendary ‘saint’ who allegedly lived more than 1,500 years ago. 

This racket was accompanied by frenzied bell-ringing and a saccharine Marian chime that was repeated over and over again till 11.00 pm – a graphic case of having sentimental piety rammed down your ears.

During the day, as I walked along the promenade at Spinola Bay, I could see kitschy statues of androgynous male ‘saints’ and of angels with effeminate faces. Above this kitsch hung gaudy red and yellow ‘pavaljuni’ with kitsch-baroque decorative motifs, harking back to the 18th century.

Next to these garish decorations were benches where vast amounts of beer would be consumed by inebriated customers in the evening and after the Sunday morning march. I could also see stalls where hawkers sell all kinds of junk while the revelry goes on.

These are the so-called ‘traditions’ of the Maltese festa. I have no doubt whatsoever that if Jesus had to witness all this, he would be horrified and would denounce the Maltese festa as nothing more than pagan superstition and idolatry.

John Guillaumier

St Julian’s