Historically, petards in Malta were used by rural villagers to let nearby villages know that they were celebrating their patron saint’s feast.

However, historians believe this was a way of subtly “teasing” rival villages over their feasts, in classic Maltese pika fashion.

Decades later, petards are enjoyed by swathes of enthusiasts across the island.

However, as years go by, more and more people are wondering if the 8am petards are becoming too much of a stressor for the vulnerable, including the elderly, young babies and the sick in society.

There has even been a case of an expat who suffers from tinnitus who had to leave the island and move abroad as the petards exacerbated his suffering.

Adults are also working night shifts more than ever, meaning they often rely on getting a good sleep in the morning and daytime.

One vet pharmacist who spoke to Lovin Malta said that their pharmacy is selling lots of calming medicine for pets as they often panic as the explosions start, especially if they are caught off-guard.

Lovin Malta held a Facebook poll last year asking readers whether they enjoyed the morning petards, with the majority saying they did enjoy them – though a spirited discussion was had underneath. 

With the summer months around the corner and Maltese villages gearing up for the somewhere festas, the island may be about to enter a noisier, more festive era.

And with clear exceptions given to petard enthusiasts to set off explosions for limited bursts first thing in the morning, families like the Cauchis may need to begin planning ways to limit the noise… at least for ten minutes every few days.

*Names have been changed

Cover photo: TVM

Are you affected by 8am petards in your town or village?