The decorative style favoured by the Maltese for their "Catholic" festas include garish red and gold pavaljuni (the more ornate swirls on them the better), plus kitsch-baroque pedestals, on which are placed kitschy statues depicting androgynous angels, Madonnas with outstretched arms, and dubious male "saints", with permed hair and effeminate faces, wearing gaudily embroidered tunics and gold boots or sandals - just like St Julian, the "macho" patron saint of hunters!

John Guillaumier

St Julian's