Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1226904
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 MARCH 2020 COMMENT What are we skinning? The Curia's directive to suspend all summer festas until 2021 due to health concerns relating to covid-19. Why are we skinning it? Because festas are such an integral part of Maltese culture that their suspension truly reminds us how the coronavirus pandemic has pushed us beyond the pale. Picture the scene: no band marches and 'briju' – just Sunday High Mass, followed by a solemn procession behind the village statue. A bit like the lotto being cancelled then. In a way, yes. But while the lotto is certainly a mainstay of local culture, it doesn't beat the festa when it comes to religio-social significance and community cohesion. But surely it's a bit premature to cancel all summer festas from now? Aren't we holding out for the virus to dissipate before then? Holding out is the key word. Festa preparations are part of the festa experience, often happen we can have at this point, really. I wouldn't really say so. Why? Well, maybe suspending festas will allow us to either appreciate them more, or to try and understand how they can be made more efficient or manageable in a way that caters to the needs of the entire population rather than just festa enthusiasts. But efficiency isn't the hallmark of festas! Noise, spontaneity and general chaos is! Do you really think we'll all be in the mood for chaos any time soon? Not right now, no. Okay, but it's your turn to picture a scene. Imagine the day when all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Imagine the jubilation, imagine people's lust to go outside and celebrate this simple fact. True that. We may have to invent a saint just to commemorate that very day. Do say: "It's important to allow time for grief and reflection. Yes, having no feasts is a source of genuine grief to many enthusiasts, and even perhaps subconscious grief to the Maltese population, their No 28. No Village Feasts in the Time of Corona EDITORIAL Abela and Fearne must be on the same page in the COVID fight PAGE 2 JOE FALZON Averting a Great Depression INTERVIEW 8-9 The Skinny Malta, shrunk down SAVIOUR BALZAN Fighting a cancer with an aspirin PAGE 5 JOSANNE CASSAR The dilemmas of a lockdown decision PAGE 6 JAMES BIANCHI MICHAEL FALZON The ITS land deal mess PAGE 7 Not going out maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 MARCH 2020 Q and A Joe Roscoe This Week Can our cultural sector survive the pandemic? What to watch What's hot this week on TV and streaming platforms CLASSIFIEDS & COMMERCIALS ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON maltatoday Quarantine essentials And your favourite Sunday newspaper When you need to decode what politicians are saying, when you want to understand why Malta's crazy construction industry is impacting upon your life, when you need to step out of the social media and understand the world from a different perspective, our journalists and columnists will provide you with expert reporting, analysis and commentary. Order your PDF newspaper of MaltaToday on Sunday and Midweek at maltatoday.uberflip.com