The Feast of Saint Publius in Floriana, Malta – A Riotous Ticker-Tape Affair

Nothing defines the culture on the Maltese Islands more than religion. Life revolves around the neighborhood Catholic churches and once a year, a massive feast is held to honor the patron saint of each church. Festivities start in the spring, and throughout the spring, summer, and fall, there is a feast nearly every weekend, somewhere on the islands.

The entire town turns out for the Feast of St. Publius in Florian, on the islamd of Malta
The entire town turns out for the Feast of St. Publius in Florian, on the islamd of Malta

During my visit, the Feast of St. Publius was scheduled in Floriana, the city adjacent to Malta‘s capital of Valletta. On Sunday morning, I hopped a bus to Floriana, arriving early in the afternoon, before any of the official activities had begun. Huge red pennants, elaborately embroidered in gold, hung above every street, marking the route of the parade that would step off later in the afternoon. Families clustered around tall tables set out in the streets, sipping espresso and snacking on appetizers, while men congregated at the tabernas.

I eavesdropped on conversations, all of which fixated on a single subject: would the St. Publius celebration be the best feast of the season? Competition is fierce, as the parish with the best event gets bragging rights for the ensuing year. Debate ratcheted up, with liberal amounts of alcohol fueling the friendly claims of superiority, until the band arrived and the time for talking was over. The thousands of visitors who had been trickling in over the past couple of hours fell in behind the band and we were off!

Residents of Floriana throw confetti down on parade participants during the Feast of St. Publius
Residents of Floriana throw confetti down on parade participants during the Feast of St. Publius

Tons of confetti and shredded paper rained down. Residents tossed party favors from their second and third floor balconies. Paraders jumped and tussled for a share of the neckties, Frisbees, beads, inflatable toys, candy, and balloons that were thrown overboard. It was the craziest cross between a Mardi Gras and a New York ticker tape parade that I’d ever seen. After the parade passed, kids dove into two-foot high piles of confetti, tossing handsfull at one another in a mock paper war. The band finally ran out of steam and the crowd dispersed for a leisurely dinner while awaiting the most important event of the day, carrying the icon of St. Publius through the streets of Floriana.

Kids have a ball with the tons of confetti along the parade route
Kids have a ball with the tons of confetti along the parade route

Two hours later, well-fed, refreshed spectators began trickling into St. Publius Church. Following a short mass, more than a dozen padres wearing snow white cassocks stepped to the icon of their patron saint and crouched beneath wooden poles protruding from its base. On a command from the Monseigneur, they rose, grimacing beneath the enormous weight. They paused at the front door of the church, rocking back and forth, as if to achieve synchronicity before tackling the steps to the street.

Priests carry the icon of St.. Publius through the streets
Priests carry the icon of St.. Publius through the streets

For more than two hours they carried St. Publius down ancient cobblestone lanes, followed by throngs of faithful. At dusk, they arrived back at St. Publius, now outlined by thousands of sparkling miniature white lights. Though this was the only patron saint feast I attended in the Maltese Islands, I’m willing to bet it took honors for this year’s best of show.

Streets with enormous tapestries and illuminated church steeple at the St. Publius feast day winds down
Streets with enormous tapestries and illuminated church steeple at the St. Publius feast day winds down

Disclosure: I was a guest of ElanGuest English Language School during my stay in the Maltese Islands. However, the receipt and acceptance of complimentary items or services will never influence the content, topics, or posts in this blog. I write the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

6 thoughts on “The Feast of Saint Publius in Floriana, Malta – A Riotous Ticker-Tape Affair”

    • Hi Larry: I’ve been to a lot of festivals around the world and it’s hard to impress me, but I walked around in amazement during this one!

      Reply
  1. I’ve never been in Malta, but your post opened my eyes about how beautiful this place is. This feast reminds me a lot about the Mardi Gras in New Orleans …

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  2. Hi Thanks so much for posting this. It brings back so many memories of our first foreign holiday. It was far too many years ago, but we visited in August and saw many “Festas” I remember the people carrying the heavy religious statues from the churches and parading them around the town – and the crowds! My children remember the fireworks, they seemed huge to us at the time. There was alwys some going off, even during the day. They were mostly the triple banger sort. You’d see a smoke trail then hear bang – Bang – BANG. Thanks for the memories

    Maurice

    Reply
    • You’re so welcome, Maurice. You’ll be happy to know that the fireworks tradition is alive and well, though in the case of the Feast of St. Publius, they were set off the evening before the rest of the festivities. Glad I was able to bring back good memories.

      Reply

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