L-Imnarja 2015

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 29th , 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 - Sunday 28th June from 17:00 till 01:00:

• Exhibition of old and new machinery and carts
• Traditional crafts.
• Band Marches
• Fruit and Vegetables Exhibition.  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
• Traditional music and stage shows.  Apart from the main area, there will be folk music in different areas around Buskett. 
• Traditional Artisians.
• Kids Area with traditional Maltese games. 
• Gymkhana for kids
• Re-enactment of Mnarja 14th Century
• Carts and cabs parade from Saqqajja to Buskett
• Information stands
• Maltese Traditional Fair
• Traditional food and sweets

Programme – Monday 29th June from 06:00 till 14:00:

• Exhibition of old and new machinery and carts
• Exhibition and competition of goats, sheep, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, fancy poultry, and various breeds of typically Maltese dogs.
• Milking of Sheep and goats using the traditional way.
• Demonstration of the making of Maltese cheeslets (gbejniet) the traditional way. 
• Fruit and Vegetables Exhibition.  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
• Traditional Artisians.
• Traditional music and stage shows.  Apart from the main area, there will be folk music in different areas around Buskett. 
• Kids Area with traditional Maltese games
• Information stands
• Traditional food and sweets
• Presentation of the prizes of all the competitions by HE President of Malta Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Hon. Roderick Galdes, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.