Mnarja 2016

Mnarja is a typical Maltese feast which includes a mixture of tradition, religion, food and music. Although it is one of the oldest feasts, it is still celebrated nowadays. This boisterous feast portraits a typical Maltese folklore and agriculture festival with plenty of music, folk dancing, feasting, exhibition and competitions involving not only animals such as cows, pigs, rabbits, horses, poultry, dogs, sheep and goats but also a variety of vegetables, fruit and Maltese specialties such as oil, honey, herbs, Maltese cheese (Gbejna) to mention a few.  It also incorporates a showcase of traditional artisans.

The Mnarja (a corruption of the Italian “luminara” - illumination) is centuries old tradition and is referred to as a harvest festival which is celebrated on June 29^th , the feast of St Peter and St Paul. It is characterised by a nightlong picnic at Buskett Woodlands, on the eve of the feast during which the native dish ‘fenkata’, stewed rabbit, is consumed in large quantities accompanied by equally large volumes of locally produced wine. Exhibits of local produce, marching bands, decorated carts and folklore enliven the night-long proceedings.

Programme - Tuesday 28^th June from 17:00 till 01:00:

• Exhibition of:

• old and new machinery and carts
• Traditional crafts
• Fruit and Vegetables.  There will also be an artistic section (sculpture and visual arts) made from fruit and/or vegetables and another section for extraordinary fruit and vegetables
• Local traditions regarding hunting and trapping, organised by FNKN at ir-Razzett tal-Bagħal

• Gymkhana for kids
• Band Marches
• Traditional music and stage shows.  Apart from the main area, there will be folk music in different areas around Buskett. 
• Competition of rabbits and fancy poultry
• Kids Area with traditional Maltese games
• Re-enactment of Mnarja 14^th Century
• Carts and cabs parade from Saqqajja to Buskett
• Information stands
• Traditional food and sweets

Programme – Wednesday 29^th June from 06:00 till 14:00:

• Exhibition of:

• old and new machinery and carts
• Falconary
• Traditional crafts
• rabbits and fancy poultry
• Fruit and Vegetables.  There will also be an artistic section (sculpture and visual arts) made from fruit and/or vegetables and another section for extraordinary fruit and vegetables
• Local traditions regarding hunting and trapping, organised by FNKN at ir-Razzett tal-Bagħal

• Traditional music and stage shows.  Apart from the main area, there will be folk music in different areas around Buskett. 
• Competition of goats, sheep, cows, pigs, horses and various breeds of typically Maltese dogs.
• Milking of Sheep and goats using the traditional way.
• Demonstrations:
  • How to sheer sheep in the traditional way.
  • Making of ricotta the traditional way.
  • Soft Nougat (Qubbajt)
• Kids Area with traditional Maltese games
• Artist painting on site
• Guided tours at Winery outside Buskett.
• Informative talks on various subjects related to agriculture at ir-Razzett tal-Ghorof
• Information stands
• Maltese Traditional Fair
• Traditional food and sweets
• Presentation of the prizes of all the competitions by HE President of Malta Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Mnarja 2016 is being organised by the Rural Festivities Unit within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights with the collaboration of the Arts Council and the Agrarian Society.