Wednesday and Thursday, since there was no World Cup soccer on tv we could go out and enjoy the summer breeze on the Sliema promenade and meet our friends. I took my camera with me on Thursday because I wanted to take some shots of the first festa (feast) of the season in Sliema. Here you can see this man with his daughter, at around 11.00pm. walking towards the local band club (which is right in front of the church) to watch the local band end its march (not military) around some of the streets which fall under this parish playing festive music.
Beginning June, straight up to the end of September, parishes in Malta take it in turns to organise the annual feast of their patron saint. Celebrations usually start on Wednesday culminating with the procession around the old quarters of the parish with a statue of the patron saint. On some Sundays there could be five or six festas going on in different parts of the Island with fireworks going up from every direction.
Sliema has 5 parishes but other Sliema suburbs have their own festa so we have a festa every weekend through the season. The first parish to organise its festa is this church dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Mary in the old part of Sliema. I went to take some shots after 11.00pm when the band was still going round the streets of the parish. You may say, why did I go so late? – well we only went out at around 9.30pm, spent some time on the benches on the promenade chatting with our friends and stopped to take the some pictures on our return journey home.
World Cup. I said it would be tough especially for France and I was very right. The Frenchmen played some lovely football but the Germans were very strong physically and in defence. The early goal gave them a better opportunity to control the game.
Brazil vs Colombia. At the half time I had this commentary in mind: “Colombia played a magnificent match but they still were no match to the Brazilians”. In the end I had to change this because in the second half Colombia played as good as the Brazilians. It was only the marvellous free kick taken by David Luiz that gave Brazil the victory. Notwithstanding, I see Brazil improving with every match they play. Yesterday’s was their best, so far.
Today starts the Tour de France Bike Race. This is another yearly event I never miss. So more time will be ‘wasted’ in front of the tv now.
Thank you so very much for looking and for your wonderful comments and the fav’s on yesterday’s picture. Now I’m off to swim – will comment later.
Fabulous capture! I agree that for the next three weeks plenty of time shall be spent watching blokes on bikes! I have such admiration for these fellows who are able to ride this tough race.
Beautiful processing of this scene. Sounds like you have so many wonderful things going on there and it's interesting to read about them. Re soccor.....Too bad about the Brazilian player who was injured.
Great night shot. Those streets are beautiful. I'm intrigued about two things : "festa" is the catalonian term for "fest" or "party", maybe a reminiscence or influence from past history. The second one is these sign " telefunken ". Their color tv on 80's were famous here :)
Fav!