Malta and Gozo today celebrated one of the most important public holidays in the Maltese calendar – Mnarja. The day is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and goes away the way back to Roman times, when they would celebrate the night by lighting up torches and bonfires.

It became a national feast under the Knights of St John where it began to morph into a celebration of food, religion and music. It is also said to be the one day a year when the Knights would allow the Maltese to hunt and eat wild rabbit, which might explain the link between fenkata and Mnarja.

Today, it is one of the biggest celebrations of Maltese folklore and tradition. You can find everything from Malta’s rural past, some of the freshest in-season vegetables from around the island, traditional Maltese music like għana and all aspects of authentic Maltese culture in one big celebration.

Many people gathered in Buskett gardens to celebrate the beloved festa

And let’s not forget the unique Mnarja celebration in Nadur, Gozo

How did you spend your Mnarja?

READ NEXT: ‘There’s No Stopping This Invader’: Malta’s Got A Serious Case Of The Crabs

Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]