Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512576
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 DECEMBER 2023 6 INTERVIEW 'The village feast gives us what modern life has taken away' DESPITE the changes to lifestyle and reality brought about by a modern Mal- ta, the Maltese's thirst for the village feast stays strong. The unique manifestation and sense of community brought about by village feasts are juxtaposed by the isolation in- duced by modern societies. Feast enthusiast and published author on the subject, Godfrey Farrugia says this sense of belonging is one of the reasons behind the unwavering popularity of feasts throughout the years. In fact, the Maltese feast is on track to secure UNE- SCO recognition as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. But despite UNESCO recognition being within Malta's grasp, Farrugia says this is not enough. The government, citizens, and band clubs have the responsibility of keeping the feast alive throughout the years, he tells me as we sit down togeth- er inside the St Philip's band club in his hometown Żebbuġ. For feasts to be kept alive, he says, stakeholders have to ensure feasts keep evolving. It is either evolution or the risk of dying out, he puts it bluntly. "The feast of San Girgor for instance, has lost the popularity it was once known for," Farrugia explains, noting that this feast had remained static throughout the years. While Malta awaits the Maltese feast to be recognised as part of UNESCO's intangible heritage list, published author Godfrey Farrugia sits down with MATTHEW FARRUGIA to discuss how this became possible, how feasts keep growing in popularity, and what challenges they may face in the future. 'The feast is a manifestation of the people, that's why it belongs to the people and the patron saint'