The feast cannot be compared in terms of scale to the other village feasts but it still encapsulates the quintessential elements of traditional festa and more!
The church perched on the cliff side, with its parvis overlooking the bay, is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The church is decorated with damask for the feast and similarly, even the main road and streets are gaily decorated with festoons of lights and flags.
Naturally, the church holds the services associated with the feast and organises the full festivities including the procession with the statue. The statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a smaller but very sweet statue is taken out of the church and around the port. The procession includes the band which plays the marches and a fireworks spectacle brings to an end the procession once the statue returns to the church’s parvis.
One unique feature of the feast in Xlendi is the water sports competition that is held on Saturday afternoon. These include swimming, paddle boat and kayaking races in the bay. Water games are also part of the fun and spectators cheer on the competitors from various vantage points around the bay. There is no doubt that the highlight of the event is the Gostra. This is a greasy pole that protrudes diagonally from the rocks onto the sea. Competitors have to try to slither across the pole and reach out for the flag which is at its end.
Save the date. This year the feast of Xlendi is on 1st September! It’s typically quaint and charming in every sort of way!
BACK TO BLOG POSTS