August is the month for boisterous festas and celebrations – the time to join in the fun!
In our Gregorian calendar, August is the eighth month of the year and in the northern half of the world it epitomises the last month of summer while in the second half, winter.
Originally it was named Sextilius in the early Roman era but later was changed to Augustus in honour of the Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar and his many events of victories and celebrities.
Unsurprisingly therefore, with the evolvement of Christianity in Europe, particularly Roman Catholicism, over the centuries the month became studded with the celebratory events commemorating saints and high events and all became days of boisterous and colourful Church and street celebrations for the community to participate in and enjoy.
In August alone there are 34 festas celebrated throughout Malta and Gozo in towns and villages – and all with pomp and circumstance, church and street decorations, band marches and beautiful fireworks.
The most attractive (including dates) of these are:
- 3rd – Dominic, Valletta
- 6th – Christ Our Saviour – Lija
- 10th – Laurence, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
- 10th -San Gaetano, Hamrun
- 15th – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Santa Marija Feast): Mqabba | Qrendi | Mosta | Gudja | Attard | Għaxaq | Victoria (Rabat), Gozo | Birkirkara | Hal-Muxi Zebbug
- 24th – St. Helen, Birkirkara
- 24th – Our Lady Star of the Sea, Stella Maris Parish, Sliema
- 24th – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mgarr, Malta
All have their own special features but undoubtedly the most boisterous and the most followed is that of San Gaetano of Hamrun. Out of the norm the parish locality has two band clubs, the San Gaetano Band Club sporting red and the St Joseph Band Club sporting blue.
Its band street marches should definitely NOT be missed and normally take place every night for seven nights leading to the feast day. The pique between the two clubs is enormous and they annually vie to outdo each other. Marches take place in different streets so as avoid street rivalry and clashes. On the most Sunday morning famed street march they annually alternately follow each other – well separated by a strong Police presence, but … however …what will be, will be.
Just one example, some years’ back I was accompanied by an American-Maltese friend who had just arrived from New York, for the Sunday morning band march. I warned him to stay off the alcohol as much as possible, especially when combined with a temperature of 40C degrees. I also warned him of violent rivalry crowd movement.
“He, he” he gloated condescendingly “I am from New York and have seen it all before boy!”
After five demanding hours I had to help him off the pavement and carry him to our vehicle. The only comment he made was “boy, I have never, ever seen anything like this before”.
Vittoriosa – these are and were also renowned for their street band marches but have declined in recent years – yet still worth a visit because of their environment surroundings and colourful displays.
There are some localities renowned for their festive fireworks displays – fireworks manufactured by them. These are the areas renowned for their amazing fireworks displays of ground, aerial and music-synchronised terrestrial displays and the most famed have now become Mqabba and Qrendi.
Previously, displays used to be judged on duration, colour and volume of explosions that shook the surrounding vicinities. This has now given way to artistic painting of the night skies while being synchronised and accompanied by music.
The most venerated and most solemn of all the August festivities is that of The Assumption of Our Lady on the 15th of August which is a Holy Public Holiday.
This is celebrated in no less than nine localities around Malta and Gozo on the day and three other localities five days later.
These are more solemn than boisterous but all still enjoy band marches, decorations and fireworks.
These are:
- 15th – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Santa Marija Feast): Mqabba | Qrendi | Mosta | Gudja | Attard | Għaxaq | Victoria (Rabat), Gozo | Birkirkara | Hal-Muxi Zebbug
- 20th -The Assumption of Our Lady, Zebbug, Gozo: Assumption of Our Lady, Mgarr, Malta; Assumption of Our Lady, Dingli
Although these parishes are more renowned for their solemn religious celebrations they are worth a visit to view the historic and clerical views of their background and of course the beautifully decorated churches and streets and some lavishly decorated house fronts.
To cap it all, there will also be the annual August Moon Ball sponsored by Malta’s President, a lavish musical ball, proceeds of which go entirely to charity. This will be held on the second weekend of August. It’s open to visitors and residents alike
ALBERT FENECH
e/mail – salina46af@gmail.com
