Lynne Marie Taylor

Today the people of Rabat, Malta, are celebrating the Feast Day or Festa of St Paul. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to go, as research for a key scene in Death in Valletta.  It was an amazing experience: the build-up for the events and the excitement and joy of the celebrations felt unique to Malta.

Feast days in Malta, known as festas, are a vibrant and integral part of Maltese culture, reflecting the islands’ deep-rooted religious traditions and community spirit. The origins of these celebrations can be traced back to the time of the Knights of St. John who ruled Malta in the 16th century. The Knights, who were deeply religious, instituted the tradition of celebrating the feast days of patron saints with elaborate ceremony. Over time, these events evolved, blending religious fervour with local customs and traditions.

Each Maltese village and town has its own patron saint, and the festa dedicated to this saint is an annual focus for their social calendar. Churches are adorned with lights, and streets are festooned with colourful decorations and banners. On the day of the festa, a Mass is held, and the church bells ring out for hours, followed by a grand procession where the statue of the patron saint is carried through the streets, accompanied by enthusiastic crowds and a marching band, with firecrackers being set off on the rooftops. In Rabat the grand finale was a super-impressive confetti show, synchronized with music. It was a moving experience, seeing families come together to celebrate their shared heritage, with the younger generation enthusiastically taking on the responsibilities of organising and running these very special events.