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We hired a private taxi and left for Zejtun about 7:30. The driver dropped us off and
would meet us again at midnight. Festa season begins in May and continues all summer.
Throughout the Maltese islands, every town and village celebrates its festa day in
commemoration of its patron saint. Some towns even appropriate an additional saint and,
thus, an extra festa. The religious celebrations center around the statue of the patron saint
and the rich decorations that adorn the parish church for the occasion. Village squares
and streets are also elaborately decorated, providing an enchanting scene during the procession
of the patron saint’s statue on the final Sunday night of the festa. People from neighboring
villages and towns come to join the fun. There is no bigger day for a town or village than
its festa and the townspeople spend months preparing for it.
Zejtun’s patron saint is Santa Katarina V.M. (virgin and martyr) of Alexandria. Although
her saint day is in November, it is celebrated in June when the weather is better. Tonight
is Saturday, traditionally the second biggest night of the festa. When we arrive, the Church
of Santa Katarina is packed and a service is in process. Outside the church’s open doors, a
marching band is practicing. The mingling of the religious and secular music doesn’t seem to
bother anyone inside the church or out. Behind the church are the floats that will be used in
tomorrow’s procession. Food and drink are sold everywhere. Quite a few booths are selling
honey nougat which, I guess, must be a local specialty. Two different bands march about town
for a while and then each settles on its own bandstand. During the night they alternate
playing, each with its own soloists, an eclectic mix of music: opera, show tunes, Cole Porter,
omm-pa-pa. The town dignitaries and spouses sit in designated chairs at the bandstand and
when one band finishes, the group moves to their designated chairs at the other bandstand.
The mass of people sit at tables and on curbs all around the town, eating, drinking and thoroughly
enjoying themselves. Later, fireworks light the sky. No child, no matter how young, goes to
bed early tonight. We had a wonderful time.
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 in Her Church <br>Surrounded by Candles and Flowers'))
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