9 People You Meet At Your Local Festa
To the dismay of all those who drive, festi dominate the scene every summer in Malta. During these celebrations of faith, and some other less religious things, a diverse range of characters gather to honour their patrun/patruna, all in their own unique way.
1. The one who’s drunk at 10AM
Before literally anyone has started celebrating, this guy is already passed out on the sidewalk, not giving a shit that he’s about to miss the marċ.
2. The kids who are there for the toys and the candy floss
Not really caring about what is actually going on, these children just want to beg their mothers to buy them the most ratchet looking toy, and get a sugar high off the cotton candy.
3. The vendor who doesn’t really want to be there
Standing next to their stall with pieces of qubbajt on a paper plate for people to taste, these vendors look like they’re so over this, and just want to be home and sleep.
4. The morally torn Kappillan
Obligated to be there, the Kappillan seems proud that the feast is a success, but fears what it has become.
5. The devoted elderly
Clapping along to the band’s music, these grandmas and grandpas tend to remain calm amongst the surrounding chaos. They look up at the statue with pride and dignity, and tell stories about how their patruna had once worked a miracle on them due to their unwavering faith.
6. Tourists who didn’t expect this to be so intense
Sporting their fisherman’s hat and sunscreen lathered faces, these tourists seem more lost than they otherwise would be in any other scenario. Caught in the middle of a chanting crowd, they seem like they’re rethinking all their life choices.
7. The ones who swear at the statue
These devoted ‘civilised’ citizens prefer to spend their festa blurting out a curse every time they set eyes on their beloved statue.
8. The ones who don’t care about the festa and just wanted to meet their friends
Having no clue what all the rage about festi is about, these people meet their friends at the pjazza and spend a night upset and feeling out of place.
9. The young fanatics
Painted from head to toe with their village feast’s colours, these adolescents know all the words and shout along to all the marċi, defend their każin with a passion, and are the ones who will eventually keep the tradition alive.