Għarb’s Annual Feast Publication: A Labour of Love and History
Għarb’s Annual Feast Publication: A Labour of Love and History
In the heart of Malta’s rural northwest, the tiny village of Għarb is abuzz with anticipation. The reason? The annual feast publication, a labour of love that’s been a tradition for over half a century. This isn’t just a book; it’s a testament to Għarb’s rich history, a compendium of its people’s stories, and a celebration of their faith.
From Humble Beginnings to a Village Institution
The first feast publication rolled off the presses in 1965, a humble 16-page pamphlet chronicling the village’s patron saint feast, that of Saint George. Today, it’s a hefty 200-page tome, a feat achieved by a dedicated team of volunteers who spend months poring over old photographs, interviewing villagers, and unearthing forgotten tales.
You’ll find the publication’s headquarters in a modest house on Triq San Ġorġ, the village’s main street. Here, a small army of enthusiasts, led by editor Joe Camilleri, toil away, fueled by an unyielding passion for Għarb’s past and present.
More Than Just a Feast Publication
The feast publication is more than just a record of religious celebrations. It’s a living history book, a social document that captures Għarb’s evolution over the decades. Flip through its pages and you’ll find stories of village life, from the hardships of rural existence to the joy of community festivals. There are tales of emigration, of families who left Għarb for a better life abroad, and those who returned, bringing with them new stories to tell.
Each edition also pays tribute to Għarb’s notable figures – the teachers, doctors, priests, and ordinary folk who’ve made an extraordinary impact on the village. This year’s edition, for instance, honours the late Dr. Joseph Mallia, a Għarb native who rose to become Malta’s Minister of Health.
But the feast publication isn’t just about looking back. It’s also a platform for Għarb’s young writers and artists. Every year, the publication includes contributions from the village’s schoolchildren, their poems and drawings adding a touch of innocence and wonder to the proceedings.
Preserving Għarb’s Heritage, One Page at a Time
The feast publication is more than just a labour of love for its creators. It’s a responsibility, a mission to preserve Għarb’s heritage for future generations. In a world where history is often reduced to soundbites and hashtags, this annual publication stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, to where we come from.
As Joe Camilleri puts it, “This isn’t just a book. It’s a piece of Għarb’s soul. It’s our way of ensuring that our history, our stories, our identity, aren’t lost to time.”
So, if you find yourself in Għarb this feast season, don’t just admire the fireworks or the ornate statues. Take a moment to pick up a copy of the feast publication. It’s not just a book. It’s Għarb.
