Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/384358
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 35 THIS WEEK ZEJT iz-Zejtun the event celebrat- ing the olive picking season and olive pressing for oil will be held in Zejtun during the evening of September 27 and on the following morning. The place name 'Zejtun', in its original Semitic connotation, signifies the fruit of the olive trees and the cultivated olive tree, syn- onymous with the Mediterranean and popular since biblical times. As the place name indicates olive tree cultivation and its by-prod- ucts were a prime activity in the South Coast of Malta in the Punic and Roman era with Zejtun at its' centre. Over the years, especially with the Arab occupation of Malta at the end of the first millennium, cotton gradually replaced the olive tree. In recent years, olive tree cul- tivation, olive pressing for oil and its association with the healthy Mediterranean diet, have made a comeback. Zejt iz-Zejtun cele- brates and commemorates all this. The event organised by the Zej- tun Local Council will kick off on Saturday at 19:30 with the BANDU announcing the event which will be followed by a defile of village folk and farmers on carts carrying the olive harvest for pressing. Drummers and f lag bearers in medieval costumes as well as folk singers and dancers will be present. Agricultural tools, typi- cal agricultural products and folk art will be exhibited in the ambi- ence of an old country village and fair. Pride of place will be given to the olive tree. Maltese ftajjar and bread dressed in freshly pressed olive oil will be distributed for free tasting. Olive tress and associated products will be on sale. An audio visual presentation will feature ol- ive tree varieties and their proper cultivation. Also this year a special exhibi- tion on 'Milk Production in Ze- jtun' will be held at the Pandora Theatre. In Zejtun there are in operation seventeen dairy farmers producing between them nineteen percent (19%) of the total national fresh milk production. On Saturday all-important his- torical and civic sites will be open to the public. On Sunday morning at 08:00 a defile of horses and pets will take part in the traditional blessing near the old Parish Church of San Girgor. The two civic band clubs and church belfries will also be open for public viewing. Zejtun celebrates its olive heritage next weekend FAA annual dinner at St Elmo's IN keeping true to its heritage roots, this year Flimkien għal Am- bjent Aħjar (FAA) is hosting its An- nual Dinner at the newly-restored Fort St. Elmo. The dinner will take place on October 3 at 20:00 and in this unique setting promises to be a memorable evening. The evening will feature live mu- sic by Claire Galea, whose soulful voice carries a unique sound mixed with elements of blues and jazz. A delicious menu for the night has been prepared by Bart Saive whose catering is synonymous with qual- ity and guests will receive a wel- come gift specially prepared for this occasion by Dical House, who will also kindly supply the raffle with quality hampers. Join us for a special evening in a truly unique heritage setting of Fort St.Elmo, with good company, exqui- site food and wine. Please purchase tickets via this link: https://ticket- engine.faa.org.mt. Those wishing to become FAA members can do so here http://faa.org.mt/member- ship/ in order to receive invitations to FAA's busy schedule of heritage talks, walks and events.