Readers Letter – “I am not a fiesta buff but this year at least I assisted for the Victoria fiestas, Sannat, and San Lawrenz. I liked everything because everything was as expected and more. The only thing I am writing about are the musical numbers the bands played alien to Maltese Marches at the four mentioned fiestas!

I would like and appreciate to hear our brass bands play ‘yesterday’ ‘I did it my way’ and some ‘English Glory’ plus Sound of Music and others, but I did not expect them to be played during a Maltese typical fiesta even if the band is in the square.

They sounded horrible and out of place, not only to my ears but also to foreigners who exclaimed their astonishment. If for example there is a presentation during the week, played on stage with people sitting down and listening, like the one the Leone Band did in Marsalforn; that is excellent but not as the statue is triumphantly being carried along our streets accompanied by other than traditional Maltese tunes.

I do not think it has really happened as yet during procession. I think that both locals and also foreigners want to hear traditional beautiful band marches of which we have so many and so professionally composed.”

Anthony Zammit

Gozo.

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