MALTA: Żejtun-Feast of St Catherine, 2009

MALTA: ŻEJTUN - Feast of St Catherine of Alexandria V.M. - 2009

Malta enjoys a beautiful and colorful culture. Some of the cultural events that take place every year are the big feasts celebrated in each town and village. One of these is the village of Żejtun where they celebrate the feast in honor of St Catherine of Alexandria, V.M.

We tried to capture highlights of this event to share it with you all. You'll see photos of the translation of the relic which takes place on the feast's eve, the procession itself, shots of the beautiful church and statue and some of the decorations which adorn the streets of Żejtun during the feast which is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June each year.

Żejtun is one of the oldest villages in Malta. It had been a parish since at least 1436 AD. The church of Żejtun was built between 1692 and 1720. It's an artistic church designed by the famous Lorenzo Gafa'. The beautiful statue of St Catherine was carved in wood circa 1760.

Żejtun has two band clubs: The Beland Band Club established c. 1860 and is one of the oldest band clubs in Malta, and the Żejtun Band Club, established c.1933. Both have an ornate bandstand which they proudly erect in a square very close to the parish church. Both band clubs, people involved with the church, plus an army of volunteers in the fireworks and street ornaments make such feast a huge success.

This photo-video has selections of two beautiful musical compositions: The "Antifona - Prudens et Vigilans" by Maestro Paolo Nani and the most beautiful hymn to St Catherine, "O Santa Verginella" (Oh Holy Young Virgin"), music composed by Carlo Diacono. This hymn belongs to Circolo Santa Catarina, Żejtun. The choirs are the Capella Diacono and also an ad hoc choir composed of children and singers from Żejtun.

The music director is Rev Ġwann Galea.

We want to thank our friends, Major Tony Abela and Pawlu Żammit "is-Sagristan" for the assistance and courtesy they have shown us. Some of the photos were taken and provided by Tony Abela and are marked accordingly.

Photos by Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech
Video by Alfred and Jasmine Grech, Mosta, Malta.

© jasalf5959

Category:

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[ns15jan]

just one word: beautiful

[JasAlf5959]

@ns15jan Thank you very much for you kind appreciation.

Warm regards from Malta,

Jasmine

[clarrisina]

very beautiful, my auntie lives in Zejtun. such a wonderful video!!

[JasAlf5959]

@clarrisina Clarrisina Dear, thank you very much for your comment and continued support. Zejtun is one of our favourite places. We go there often and never get tired of visiting it. A fascinating place that is filled with great history. The buildings, the alleys, the historic chapels and the people too are very nice.

Warm regards,

Jasmine

[JasAlf5959]

Thanks and glad you liked the video. Yes the antiphon is Paolo Nani's. O Santa Vergenella is by Diacono and it is an extremely beautiful hymn and the choir so smooth.

I think all have been listed accordingly at the end of the video.

[JasAlf5959]

Grazzi, David. Iva, I-Zejtun ghandhom Antifona u Innu sbieh immens. L-Antifona taghkom smajtha wkoll u naqbel mieghek li hi sabiha hafna wkoll.

[feastsinmalta]

@mychoicegrech iva niftakar...imma propja dik ghan-naxxar inkitbet ghax nani kien il maestro di cappella tan-naxxar...nahseb kien gieli idoqq iz Zejtun ukoll u ghallura bdew idoqquwa huma ukoll.

[mychoicegrech]

@feastsinmalta Kont ghidtlek li t-tnejn ghandhom l-istess muzika.

[feastsinmalta]

@mau10790 ta nani hija l-antifona tal-bambina tan-naxxar...manafx kif idoqquwa taz-zejtun...

[feastsinmalta]

l-antifona mux tan-naxxar?

[malpen04]

@BENNYMANS99 You're welcome Brian. They have some very beautiful hymns in that village of Zejtun and besides this feast, they organize other wonderful activities. Malta is filled with such celebrations.

[BENNYMANS99]

Beautiful music Alfred ...thanks for sharing.