The St Joseph Band of Ghajnsielem, Gozo, has once again been invited to take part in the feast of St Paul at Palazzolo Acreide, Siracusa in Sicily. This traditional and popular feast is celebrated between the 27th and the 29th of June. The Band will play marches on the feast eve and host a musical programme on the feast day.

The trip was made possible with the collaboration of Mr Ray Bondin, UNESCO representative who is also currently living in Ghajnsielem. Good relations also exists between the St Joseph Band committee and the organising committee of San Paolo. Last year’s performance was described in one of the local Sicilian newspaper as “Un bellissimo concerto”.

The executive committee has said that it is once again also planning to organise a tour which will be open for the general public and will include a day of shopping and a day-trip to Taormina although the final programme is not confirmed yet. The group is set to depart on Sunday 27th June and return on Wednesday 30th June.

Palazzolo Acreide is a town where history, tradition and modern life coexist in a wonderful natural setting between gorges formed by two rivers. The town raises on hills overlooking a large part of the South-East of Sicily down to the cost. A visit to Palazzolo Acreide combines the beauty of the archaeological Greek heritage with fine examples of Baroque architecture, the religious celebrations and the delicious tastes and smells of the Hiblean mountain food. The town has 9204 inhabitants and is situated 670 metres above sea level.

For those who went on the trip last year, many said that the most exciting moment was certainly the “A Sciuta,” when the statue of St. Paul is removed from the main altar and arranged on the processional array, then carried out together with the relics of the saint. Outside the church the sound of bells ringing, the music of the band, the shouts of the bearers and of the faithful, the firecrackers, the throwing of thousands of pieces of paper with “Viva S. Paolo” written on and long strips of coloured paper, called “nzareddi,” welcome the procession, along with firecrackers and other fireworks.

Photo shows the St Joseph’s Band at last years feast in Sicily

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