The traditional and popular San Girgor feast returns this month after an absence of three years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The feast is celebrated on the first Wednesday after Easter Sunday and originally consisted of a pilgrimage by confraternities from all Maltese parishes, starting from Mdina and ending with a religious ceremony at Żejtun parish church. The event dates back as early as 1543. The procession now takes place within Zejtun itself. Some maintain the pilgrimage was introduced to thank the Lord for freeing Malta from the plague of 1519. But San Girgor is now perhaps better known as the unofficial opening of the swimming season, when many take their first dip of the year, traditionally at Marsaxlokk, which is closest to Zejtun. Culture Minister Owen Bonnici on Wednesday announced a programme of events prepared by the Culture Directorate. On the eve of the feast, Tuesday 11 April, a musical-literary evening “San Girgor fil-Kitba Maltija” will be held at the Żejtun Parish Church. Architect Reuben Abela and author Trevor Zahra will be reading at the event, accompanied by guitarist Evan Plumpton. The event starts at 6.30 pm. There will also be a performative...
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