This Maltese Festival Is A Must-Attend For All Agriculture And Gastronomy Lovers

Spring in Malta brings with it a whole new bunch of fresh produce and hikes in the countryside, with the Buskett area being one of the most popular green on the island. Now, the latest village festival wants to bring all of that to the Maltese woodland.

This year’s annual Ħad-Dingli Ħidma Agrarja u Tradizzjonijiet in collaboration with local Dingli non-governmental organisations will be hosting an event surely not to be missed. Taking place on Sunday 29th April at Buskett from 8am onwards, the festival will even feature the biggest replica of a traditional Maltese karettun set up with fruits and vegetables to break all previous records. 

A number of activities, shows and workshops will be organised throughout the day to keep the whole family entertained.

Dingli’s agricultural and traditional festival will kick off with the cutest contest ever known to mankind — a sheep and goat beauty contest. Following it up will be a milking contest, just to keep things traditional AF.

Later on, after a traditional sheep rearing break, visitors will be treated to another cute-induced cardiac arrest with a dog show featuring boxers, klieb tal-fenek and klieb ta’ Malta.

2pm is wine o’clock, with a red, rosé and white wine competition slotted in for the afternoon.

Throughout the day, there will be a number of fun activities for the whole family. For children there will be a number of activities including donkey and pony rides and traditional Maltese games. (Donkey rides?! Yes. Please.)

Food lovers rejoice; a fresh fruit and vegetables market will also be taking place during the festival, along with an artisanal market, traditional Maltese food and sweets will be available to nibble on and enjoy. A traditional farmer’s kitchen and gastronomical display will be featured, and later on during the day, there will be a special event for all cooking aficionados — Fil-Kċina Ma’ Manuel forming part of the Don’t Waste Waste campaign by Wasteserv.

Events for bird enthusiasts will also be taking place; a poultry show, a pigeon show and even an educational and entertaining display of well-trained native falcons.

For the artistically inclined, Ħad-Dingli Ħidma Agrarja u Tradizzjonijiet will be holding a weaving workshop and a there will be traditional Maltese Lace making. There will also be on the spot paintings from local artist Matthew Cassar!

You even have the chance to check out some traditional Maltese garments, each one handmade and recreated by the volunteers for Ħad-Dingli Ħidma Agrarja u Tradizzjonijiet!

Throughout the event, there will be a variety of traditional folk shows and għana and guided tours around Buskett Gardens. 

For access to Buskett, a FREE park-and-ride service with a traditional Maltese bus will be offered from Dingli every 30 minutes, and from Rabat next to Domvs Romana every 60 minutes. Alternatively, you can get to Buskett by public transport with bus routes 56 from the Domvs Romana Terminus or 181 from the main bus stop near Ħad-Dingli Police Station. 

For more information on the day festival, check out the official Facebook event page.

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